Oxygen reduction reaction kinetics on a Pt thin layer electrode in AEMFC

The study of the catalytic activity in a fuel cell is challenging, as mass transport, gas crossover and counter electrode are generally interfering. In this study, Pt consisting thin film deposited on diffusion layer was employed to oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) an operating Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (AEMFC). 2D assembled together with conventional porous Pt/C extra membrane reduce H2 crossover. Polarization curves at different O2 partial pressures were recorded resulting reproducible ORR activities normalized respect active surface area (ECSA), obtained by CO stripping. As expected, decreasing pressure results negative shift open circuit voltage (OCV), maximum attainable current density. For voltages above 0.8 V fairly constant Tafel slope 60 mV dec−1 but lower increases rapidly. observed can be explained theoretical model associative mechanism where charge- proton-transfer steps decoupled, proton transfer rate-determining step. A order 1 0.65 which corresponds well suggested above. Based catalyst activities, performance comparable good electrodes found field. methodology presented expected useful future kinetic studies other catalysts for AEMFC.