High temperature PEMFCs running with SiC based electrodes

摘要

In this work an assessment of the behavior of a high temperature PEMFC running with phosphoric acid PBI based membranes and with new catalyst support based on SiC based materials is going to be presented. Nowadays, the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) technology must demonstrate to be a reliable one and hence high durability must reached in order to enter in the energy market which would make that the costs of this technology go down. In comparison to low temperature PEMFCs, high temperature PEMFCs (HT-PEMFCs) allow a simplified fuel cell system design. Proton conduction by use of phosphoric acid as electrolyte allows the elimination of humidification systems and hence the water management would be easier. Moreover, higher catalyst tolerance towards reaction gas impurities like carbon monoxide due to reduced adsorption at higher temperatures result in using a cheaper fuel gas due to shorter cleanup and purification processes [1].