Fuel cells and the hydrogen economy 3

[GregLocock]

While I'm still unconvinced that green hydrogen is going to be a thing (I know two people working in the field) this looks rather jolly.

Alkaline fuel cells enable the use of earth-abundant elements to replace Pt but are hindered by the sluggish kinetics of the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) in alkaline media. Precious metal–free HOR electrocatalysts need to overcome two major challenges: their low intrinsic activity from too strong a hydrogen-binding energy and poor durability due to rapid passivation from metal oxide formation. Here, we designed a Ni-based electrocatalyst with a 2-nm nitrogen-doped carbon shell (Ni@CNx) that serves as a protection layer and significantly enhances HOR kinetics. A Ni@CNx anode, paired with a Co−Mn spinel cathode, exhibited a record peak power density of over 200 mW/cm2 in a completely precious metal–free alkaline membrane fuel cell. Ni@CNx exhibited superior durability when compared to a Ni nanoparticle catalyst due to the enhanced oxidation resistance provided by the CNx layer. Density functional theory calculations suggest that graphitic carbon layers on the surface of the Ni nanoparticles lower the H binding energy to Ni, bringing it closer to the previously predicted value for optimal HOR activity, and single Ni atoms anchored to pyridinic or pyrrolic N defects of graphene can serve as the HOR active sites. The strategy described here marks a milestone in electrocatalyst design for low-cost hydrogen fuel cells and other energy technologies with completely precious metal–free electrocatalysts.

https://www.pnas.org/doi/suppl/10.1073/pnas.2119883119

Big shout to pnas as well, imagine being able to read stuff for free.



Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

You have done nothing but say (i) the world is ending, (ii) we must stop using all plastic, (iii) white people are bad, (iv) capitalism sucks.

(ii) is patently obvious.
Perhaps not all plastics; some are indispensible industrially and for making green hardware. The environmental and health effects are so overwhelmingly negative that I don't know why there is still even a discussion. What you argue is the promise of plastic recycling; I am reporting on the reality of it.

If you can show me where I have said (in any thread) any of (i), (iii) or (iv), I will buy you a roof full of solar panels. (Preferably made in USA, but that ship sailed when Washington exported those jobs in exchange for a mess of pottage.)

But I have stated that some posters on here mischaracterize my posts and put words in my mouth, basically as a way of dismissing my comments, as if I have some as yet unidentified ulterior political or other motive. (But whatever it is, it must be extremist.) They have their narrow little slots pre-digested for them by the media, or worse, (anti)social media, and they try to hammer everyone into one of those slots. You've done it again here; maybe you could do us all a favour and address that one factually? Thank you.

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but they are not entitled to their own facts."

 

[TugboatEng]

Catastrophic collapse is world ending

We are seeing all the classic symptoms of failing empires, which always involve environmental collapse, only this time the consequences will be total and catastrophic.

Blame whitey

That is a persistent trope of settler colonialism in North America. I

Anti-capitalist reading

LOL, you probably should read Das Kapital then. I have, and it is actually a very good critique.

Don't worry, touching the cover won't convert you into a communist.

 

[TugboatEng]

Another thought on the subject. Another economic challenge to the transition to renewables such as hydrogen is the reduction in demand for oil. Any long term reduction in oil demand is going to drive up oil costs per barrel. Together, the higher cost of renewable energy and the higher cost of oil will both work together to cripple economies.

 

And? Is that all you got?

America is a failing empire. Do you not you know your own history?
Settler colonialism is a thing, and it is not specific to 'white people'. Every empire needs founding myths to justify the genocide (which BTW, is ongoing in N. America).
Das Kapital is a very good critique. Opening it will not make you a communist any more than eating grass will turn you into a cow, but it will help you understand the pathologies of our economic system.

None these support your intellectual leaps and pigeon-holing efforts.

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but they are not entitled to their own facts."

 

[JoshPlumSE]

Ironic Metallurgist -

Just to be clear it was Tug who said the quote below. While you and I have gotten contentious in other threads, my only contribution to this one was talking about my time doing some structural engineering work for a company called Fuel Cell Energy. And, talking about the difference between recycling glass or aluminum and the "down cycling" that occurs with plastics. Or, at least what I understand that difference to be.

You have done nothing but say (i) the world is ending, (ii) we must stop using all plastic, (iii) white people are bad, (iv) capitalism sucks.

 

Understand. Contention is entirely acceptable.

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but they are not entitled to their own facts."