Synthesis, Structure and Electrochemical Performance of New Pt-Rh Carbon Nitride Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

DI NOTO, Vito
Negro, Enrico
Pace, G
Gross, Silvia

Publication date

January 2007

Publisher

country:USA

Abstract

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are a class of energy conversion devices operating at low temperatures (T<150\ub0C) which have recently drawn great interest from both the academic world and the industry. The reasons lie in their high efficiency and low environmental impact. Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) operating using a methanol solution as fuel, are particularly interesting for applications in the automotive industry and in portable electronics. Nevertheless, fuel cell systems still suffer from serious drawbacks including high costs, durability issues and, on a more fundamental level, significant shortcomings in the performances of their component materials, i.e. the electrolyte membrane and the catalysts. In par...