Electrochemical behaviour of PES ionomer and Pt-free catalyst for PEMFCs

• Main Authors: STEFANIA GIORDANO, MARIANGELA LONGHI, LEONARDO FORMARO, HERMES FARINA, GIUSEPPE DI SILVESTRO
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Association of Physical Chemists (IAPC) 2013-06-01
• Series: Journal of Electrochemical Science and Engineering
• Subjects: ORR; Pt-free catalyst; PES; PEMFC
• Online Access: http://www.jese-online.org/Articles/Vol_03/No_3/Pdf/jESE_Vol3_No3_p115-123_2013.pdf

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) represent promising technologies to the world economy, with many applications and low environmental impact. A most important aspect concerning their widespread implementation is the cost of polymeric membranes, typically perfluorinated membranes and platinum-based catalytic electrode materials, all of which are necessary to promote electrode reactions, thus increasing fuel cell energy efficiency. In this work, we present some data about non-fluorinated polyetheresulphone (PES) membranes and Pt-free catalysts, as possible substitutes of the above materials. Their electrochemical behaviour in oxygen reduction reaction in acidic media are investigated and compared with available reference materials.