Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
4-2024
Keywords
Nanoalloy, platinum, fuel cell
Degree Name
Biochemistry (BS)
Department
CHEMISTRY
First Advisor
Dr. Chuan-Jian Zhong
Series
Science and Mathematics
Subject Heading(s)
Hydrogen as fuel--Research ; Platinum catalysts ; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells
Abstract
The current use of fissile fuels to generate energy produces air pollution, which has been attributed to one of the main causes of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. Hydrogen offers an alternative and environmentally friendly energy source which generates zero emission. Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) have become an effective electrochemical energy conversion system in which the chemical energy from the oxidation-reduction reaction of hydrogen and oxygen is converted into usable electricity, with water as the only by-product. The challenge for this electrochemical energy conversion to work is the requirement of platinum as a catalyst to overcome the high activation energy of the reaction taking place at the cathode. Platinum is not only an expensive metal with limited global supplies, but also suffers the propensity of deactivation by surface poisoning. One of the approaches to addressing this problem is the design of alloy catalysts by alloying Pt with different transition metals that reduce costs while maintaining catalytic efficiency. Several chemical methods have been developed for synthesizing different nanoalloys and catalysts. In this work, we investigated different factors controlling the synthesis and preparation of ternary nanoalloy catalysts. The catalysts were characterized to determine their composition, size, and phase structures in terms of lattice parameters. Selected catalysts were tested in PEMFC to evaluate their performances in correlation with their nanophase structures. The results will be discussed for developing an insight into the design of better nanoalloy catalysts for the application in hydrogen fuel cells.
Recommended Citation
Barber, Megan, "Investigation of nanoalloy catalysts and their performances in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells" (2024). Undergraduate Honors Theses. 41.
https://orb.binghamton.edu/undergrad_honors_theses/41