Macroporous Structures of Nb–SnO2 Particles as a Catalyst Support Induce High Porosity and Performance in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Catalyst Layers

Hirano Tomoyuki

Tsuboi Takama

Ho Thi Thanh Nguyen

Tanabe Eishi

Takano Aoi

Kataoka Mikihiro

Ogi Takashi

Nano Letters

Macroporous niobium-doped tin oxide (NTO) is introduced as a robust alternative to conventional carbon-based catalyst supports to improve the durability and performance of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). Metal oxides like NTO are more stable than carbon under PEFC operational conditions, but they can compromise gas diffusion and water management because of their denser structures. To address this tradeoff, we synthesized macroporous NTO particles using a flame-assisted spray-drying technique employing poly(methyl methacrylate) as a templating agent. X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the preservation of crystallinity and revealed a macroporous morphology with larger pore volumes and diameters than those in flame-made NTO nanoparticles, as revealed by mercury porosimetry. The macroporous NTO particles exhibited enhanced maximum current density and reduced gas diffusion resistance relative to commercial carbon supports. Our findings establish a foundation for integrating macroporous NTO structures into PEFCs to optimize durability and performance.

Macroporous

Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell

Nb-Doped SnO2

Porosity

Flame Synthesis

eng

American Chemical Society

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Nano Letters, copyright © American Chemical Society after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c01150

This is not the published version. Please cite only the published version.

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[DOI] https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c01150 isVersionOf

日本学術振興会

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

[Crossref Funder] https://doi.org/10.13039/501100001691

規則性マクロポーラス酸化物担体を用いた固体高分子形燃料電池の高耐久・高性能化

規則性マクロポーラス酸化物担体を用いた固体高分子形燃料電池の高耐久・高性能化

22K20482

日本学術振興会

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

[Crossref Funder] https://doi.org/10.13039/501100001691

微粒子ナノ構造化技術による燃料電池触媒層の細孔ネットワークエンジニアリング

Pore Network Engineering of Fuel Cell Catalyst Layers by Particle Nanostructuring Technology

23K13590

日本学術振興会

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

[Crossref Funder] https://doi.org/10.13039/501100001691

高次構造ポーラス微粒子創製のプロセスサイエンスの構築と物質移動特性の解明

Development of process science for the creation of porous particles with highly-ordered structure and elucidation of mass transfer characteristics

23H01745