Performance optimization of PGM and PGM‑free catalysts in anion‑ exchange membrane fuel cells

Authors: John C. Douglin, Ramesh K. Singh, Eliran R. Hamo, Mohamad B. Hassine, Paulo J. Ferreira, Brian A. Rosen, Hamish A. Miller, Gadi Rothenberg, Dario R. Dekel

This study focuses on H₂-O₂ operando AEMFC performance based on several platinum group metal (PGM) and PGM-free catalysts. Specifically, we evaluate the AEMFC performance of commercial PtRu/C, as-synthesized PtRu/C, and Pd-CeO₂/C catalysts as anodes and commercial Pt/C and as-synthesized N-doped carbon catalysts as cathodes. The evolution of cell performance with varying cathode catalyst layer compositions, back pressure, and dew points is underscored. The as-synthesized PtRu/C catalyst is characterized by advanced transmission electron microscopy and showed significantly high performance reaching a peak power density of 1900 mW cm⁻² at 80 °C with remarkably promising initial stability. We further showed the cell performances using Pd-CeO₂/C anodes paired with both standard Pt/C and metal-free N-doped carbon as a cathodes, which resulted in peak power densities of 890 and 537 mW cm^‒2, respectively. Data reported in this study sheds light on the development of AEMFCs using PGM and PGM-free catalysts.