A Pd/C‐CeO₂ Anode Catalyst for High‐Performance Platinum‐Free Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Abstract

Abstract One of the biggest obstacles to the dissemination of fuel cells is their cost, a large part of which is due to platinum (Pt) electrocatalysts. Complete removal of Pt is a difficult if not impossible task for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEM‐FCs). The anion exchange membrane fuel cell (AEM‐FC) has long been proposed as a solution as non‐Pt metals may be employed. Despite this, few examples of Pt‐free AEM‐FCs have been demonstrated with modest power output. The main obstacle preventing the realization of a high power density Pt‐free AEM‐FC is sluggish hydrogen oxidation (HOR) kinetics of the anode catalyst. Here we describe a Pt‐free AEM‐FC that employs a mixed carbon‐CeO 2 supported palladium (Pd) anode catalyst that exhibits enhanced kinetics for the HOR. AEM‐FC tests run on dry H 2 and pure air show peak power densities of more than 500 mW cm −2 .