Papers by Author: Enrico Traversa

Abstract: One of the factors limiting direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) performance is the slow kinetics of methanol oxidation at the anode. The importance of the catalyst support for fuel cells has been recognized and different forms of carbon have been suggested. Single wall nanohorns (SWNH) are a new class of carbon with a similar graphitic structure of carbon nanotubes. They are self-assembling materials that produce aggregates of about 100 nm. In the present study, the comparison of the performance of a DMFC equipped with electrocatalysts supported on a commercial carbon black and on SWNH was carried out. The SWNH were synthesized by the arc discharge method in air. The deposition of the Pt and Pt/Ru catalysts on the carbon supports was accomplished by using ethylene glycol as reducing agent. The synthesized catalyst nanoparticles have a very small diameter size (ca. 2.5 nm) and they are uniformly distributed on both carbon supports. The supported electrode catalysts were tested in a DMFC and results indicate that employing SWNH is very promising showing catalytic activities 60 % higher.

Abstract: SPEEK-based composite membranes containing various amounts of titania nanosheets (TNS) as inorganic fillers were investigated for proton exchange membrane fuel cell applications. The samples were characterized for water uptake, proton conductivity (EIS), and structural features (SEM and XRD). Composites at low inorganic additive contents exhibited improved properties in terms of proton conductivity and water uptake behavior. Best improvements were observed for the composite containing only 0.95 wt% of TNS. This result could be associated to the unique nature of the two dimensional nanostructure of the inorganic additive.

Abstract: This work investigated the possibility of coupling the high conductivity of cerates and the good chemical stability of zirconates as proton conductor electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Two different approaches are discussed: the synthesis of barium cerate and zirconate solid solutions, and the fabrication of a bilayer electrolyte made of a Y-doped barium cerate pellet covered by a thin protecting layer of Y-doped barium zirconate. The chemical stability of the tailored samples was tested exposing them to 100% CO2 atmosphere at 700°C for 3 h. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was used to investigate the phase composition of the specimens before and after the CO2 treatment. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements were carried out in humidified H2. Hydrogen-air breathing fuel cell experiments were carried out at 700°C.

Abstract: The interfacial resistances of La1-xSrxCo1-yFeyO3-δ (denoted LSCF(10(1-x)/10x/10(1-y)/10y)) cathodes, and the catalytic activities of a Ni-Ce0.85Y0.15O1.925 (Ni-YDC) anode and an LSCF(2/8/8/2) cathode of a single-chamber solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) were investigated. LSCF cathodes with high oxide ion conductivities gave low interfacial resistances. LSCF cathodes with suitable thermal expansion coefficients formed favorable interfacial structures with a ceria-based electrolyte. Ni-YDC showed a higher conversion efficiency for CH4 and a lower selectivity for CO2 than LSCF(2/8/8/2). The single-chamber SOFC based on the Sm-doped ceria electrolyte with the Ni-YDC anode and LSCF(2/8/8/2) cathode showed a maximum power density of 186 mW/cm2 at 800°C.