High performance of H2/O2 fuel cells using Pt/C Electrodes and P2O5-SiO2-PMA glasses as an electrolyte in low temperature

Abstract

Heteropolyacid containing phosphosilicate glasses were prepared by the sol-gel technique and were studied in relation to their structural, thermal, and textural properties. These glasses are mechanically, thermally, chemically stable and have proton conductivity. It was found to be a suitable potential electrolyte for H2/O2 fuel cells. The average pore size of up to 3 nm was observed from a N2 adsorption-desorption analysis. The electrical conductivity was measured under humidity and temperature conditions. The glasses showed the proton conductivity values in the order of 10-3-10-2 S cm-1, especially, 9.8 × 10-2 S cm-1 at 90°C and 70% RH. The cell performance is mainly determined by the higher conductivity characteristics of the electrolyte. We have successfully achieved a high power density value of 17.2 mW/cm2 using P2O5-SiO2-PMA (7-89-4 mol%) glasses as an electrolyte and 0.1 mg/cm2 of Pt/C loaded on the electrode at 30°C and RH 30%.