Papers by Keyword: Catalytic Electrodes

Abstract: Nanoparticles of palladium were obtained with the help of hydrogen-oxidising, metal- reducing bacteria and used for the production of electricity in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. Earlier works have shown that palladised cells of Escherichia coli and Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (Bio-PdE.coli and Bio-PdD.desulfuricans, respectively) appeared similar by electron microscopy and were comparably active in a chemical test reaction. When tested in a PEM fuel cell they produced 0.018 and 0.108 W, respectively. Electron paramagnetic resonance analysis of Bio-PdE.coli mixed with activated carbon showed paramagnetic activity. However, Bio-PdD.desulfuricans under the same conditions quenched the intrinsic EPR signal. This quenching is indicative of the magnetic properties of the particles. The magnetic behaviour of Pd nanoparticles was theoretically predicted for particles between 10 and 20 nm in diameter and can be experimentally confirmed by EPR measurements.

Abstract: The all-ceria-composite ITSOFCs have demonstrated extraordinary fuel cell performances since the ceria-composite electrodes are very catalytic and conductive, and the ceria-composite electrolytes are highly conductive and also electrolytic, in addition to excellent compatibility between the electrolyte and electrodes based on the same ceria-based composite materials. The power density outputs from 200 to 800 mWcm-2, were obtained for temperatures between 400 and 700°C. The maximum power density 0.72 Wcm-2 (1500 mAcm-2) at 600°C and 0.82 Wcm-2 (1800 mAcm-2) at 700°C were achieved, respectively. These highly catalytic electrodes functioned extensively for many different fuels, such as hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels, e.g., natural gas, coal gas, methanol and ethanol etc. In some special cases, the ITSOFCs with the ceria-composite electrodes could also work at as low as 200°C. All these good performances are based on the novel catalyst function of the ceria-composite electrodes and internal reforming mechanism.

Abstract: Ru-C nano-composite films were prepared by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), and their microstructures and their electrode properties for oxygen gas sensors were investigated. Deposited films contained Ru particles of 5-20 nm in diameter dispersed in amorphous C matrix. The AC conductivities associating to the interface charge transfer between Ru-C composite electrode and YSZ electrolyte were 1000-10000 times higher than that of conventional paste-Pt electrodes. The electro-motive-force (emf) values of the oxygen gas concentration cell constructed from the nano-composite electrodes and YSZ electrolyte showed the Nernstian theoretical values at low temperatures around 500 K. The response time of the concentration cell at 500 K was 900 s.