Fuel cells have emerged as a promising energy-conversion solution that can generate electricity through electrochemical reactions without the harmful effects of combustion, thus reducing air pollution. These cells have the potential to power a wide range of technologies, including electric vehicles, portable chargers, and industrial machines. However, many existing fuel cell designs rely on expensive materials and precious metal catalysts, which hinders their widespread adoption.
One of the major challenges facing fuel cells is the high cost associated with precious metal catalysts. This limitation has impeded the scalability and affordability of fuel cell technologies. Additionally, non-precious metal catalysts used in anion-exchange-membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) have been found to be prone to self-oxidation, leading to irreversible failure of the cells. These issues have prompted researchers to explore new strategies to address these challenges.
Researchers at Chongqing University and Loughborough University have recently developed a novel strategy to prevent the oxidation of metallic nickel electrocatalysts in AEMFCs. This strategy involves the use of a quantum well-like catalytic structure (QWCS) made up of quantum-confined metallic nickel nanoparticles. By confining the Ni nanoparticles within a carbon-doped-MoOx/MoOx heterojunction, the researchers were able to selectively transfer external electrons from the hydrogen oxidation reaction without causing self-oxidation of the catalyst.
Advantages of the Quantum-Well Catalytic Structure
The QWCS designed by the researchers offers several advantages for AEMFCs. The structure, known as Ni@C-MoOx, can enhance catalytic activity by preventing the transfer of electrons from the Ni catalyst into the QWCS’ valley. This selective transfer of electrons protects the catalyst from electro-oxidation, ensuring the long-term stability and reliability of the fuel cells. The Ni@C-MoOx catalyst maintained excellent catalytic stability even after 100 hours of continuous operation under harsh conditions.
The introduction of the Ni@C-MoOx catalyst has resulted in significant improvements in AEMFC performance. The fuel cell created using this catalyst achieved a high specific power density of 486 mW mgNi-1, with no decline in performance following repeated shutdown-start cycles. This success demonstrates the potential of the QWCS-catalyzed AEMFC to withstand challenging operating conditions and deliver consistent power output over time.
The development of the QWCS catalytic structure opens up new possibilities for creating cost-effective and reliable AEMFCs. The underlying design strategy could be applied to other catalyst systems, leveraging quantum confinement to prevent the electro-oxidation of non-precious metals. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize the field of fuel cell technology and accelerate the transition to clean energy solutions.
The research conducted by the team at Chongqing University and Loughborough University represents a significant step forward in overcoming the challenges associated with AEMFCs. By leveraging the power of quantum confinement, they have developed a novel catalytic structure that promises to enhance the performance and durability of fuel cells. The future looks bright for the development of cost-effective and sustainable energy solutions based on these innovative technologies.
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