Fuel cell electrode and fuel cell system including a functionalized carbon support
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsNagappan Ramaswamy, Venkata Raviteja Yarlagadda, Nathan Mellott, Swaminatha P. Kumaraguru
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Abstract
An electrode for a fuel cell system is provided. The electrode includes a carbon support. The carbon support includes carbon particles each functionalized with one or more sulfur and oxygen-containing moieties. Platinum-based catalyst particles are disposed on the carbon support. Ionomer is disposed on the carbon support. A weight ratio of the ionomer to the carbon support is about 0.4 or less.
Claims20
An electrode for a fuel cell system, the electrode comprising:
- a carbon support comprising:
- a first plurality of carbon particles each functionalized with one or more sulfur and oxygen-containing moieties;
- and
- a second plurality of carbon particles that are substantially free of any of the one or more sulfur and oxygen-containing moieties;
- platinum-based catalyst particles disposed on the second plurality of carbon particles;
- wherein the first plurality of carbon particles that are functionalized are substantially free of any of the platinum-based catalyst particles;
- ionomer disposed on the carbon support, wherein a weight ratio of the ionomer to the carbon support is from about 0.2 to about 0.4;
- and
- a micro-porous substrate that is disposed adjacent to and supports a catalyst layer comprising the carbon support, the platinum-based catalyst particles, and the ionomer.
A fuel cell system comprising:
- a first electrode;
- a second electrode comprising:
- a carbon support comprising:
- a first plurality of carbon particles each functionalized with one or more sulfur and oxygen-containing moieties;
- and
- a second plurality of carbon particles that are substantially free of any of the one or more sulfur and oxygen-containing moieties;
- platinum-based catalyst particles disposed on the second plurality of carbon particles;
- wherein the first plurality of carbon particles that are functionalized are substantially free of any of the platinum-based catalyst particles;
- ionomer disposed on the carbon support, wherein a weight ratio of the ionomer to the carbon support is from about 0.2 about 0.4;
- and
- a micro-porous substrate that is disposed adjacent to and supports a catalyst layer comprising the carbon support, the platinum-based catalyst particles, and the ionomer;
- and
- a fuel cell membrane disposed between the first and second electrodes.
A method for making an electrode for a fuel cell system, the method comprising:
- preparing an ionomer premix comprising an ionomer dispersed within a solvent;
- preparing a catalyst-functionalized carbon premix dispersed within additional solvent, the catalyst-functionalized carbon premix comprising:
- platinum-based catalyst particles;
- a first plurality of carbon particles each functionalized with one or more sulfur and oxygen-containing moieties;
- and
- a second plurality of carbon particles that are substantially free of any of the one or more sulfur and oxygen-containing moieties;
- wherein the platinum-based catalyst particles are disposed on the second plurality of carbon particles;
- wherein the first plurality of carbon particles that are functionalized are substantially free of any of the platinum-based catalyst particles;
- and
- combining the ionomer premix and the catalyst-functionalized carbon premix to form a catalyst ink having a weight ratio of the ionomer to the first plurality and second plurality of carbon particles of from about 0.2 to about 0.4.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.