Palladium-Based Anion-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Using KOH-Doped Polybenzimidazole as the Electrolyte.

ABSTRACT

The development of a low-cost and high-performance fuel cell is a strong social demand. Anion-exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) have recently emerged as an alternative technology to conventional fuel cells that use a proton-exchange membrane as they enable the use of cheaper metals than platinum. An AEMFC exhibiting a maximum power density of 241 mW cm-2 based on a palladium-based electrocatalyst has been developed. The polybenzimidazole-wrapped carbon nanotubes were used to anchor the palladium nanoparticles, and the material was doped using KOH to form an ideal triple-phase boundary structure around the palladium. The observed maximum power density is the highest among previously reported AEMFCs using palladium as the metal catalyst.