Nanomaterials for Fuel Cell Catalysis


Book Description

Global experts provide an authoritative source of information on the use of electrochemical fuel cells, and in particular discuss the use of nanomaterials to enhance the performance of existing energy systems. The book covers the state of the art in the design, preparation, and engineering of nanoscale functional materials as effective catalysts for fuel cell chemistry, highlights recent progress in electrocatalysis at both fuel cell anode and cathode, and details perspectives and challenges in future research.




Nanotechnology in Fuel Cells


Book Description

Nanotechnology in Fuel Cells focuses on the use of nanotechnology in macroscopic and nanosized fuel cells to enhance their performance and lifespan. The book covers the fundamental design concepts and promising applications of nanotechnology-enhanced fuel cells and their advantages over traditional fuel cells in portable devices, including longer shelf life and lower cost. In the case of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), nano-membranes could provide 100 times higher conductivity of hydrogen ions in low humidity conditions than traditional membranes. For hydrogen fuel cell, nanocatalysts (Pt hybrid nanoparticles) could provide 12 times higher catalytic activity. This is an important reference source for materials scientists and engineers who are looking to understand how nanotechnology is being used to create more efficient macro- and nanosized fuel cells. - Outlines how fuel cells can be nanoengineered to enhance their performance and lifespan - Covers a variety of fuel cell types, including proton-exchange membrane fuel cells and hydrogen-based fuel cells - Assesses the major challenges of nanoengineering fuel cells at an industrial scale




Nanomaterials for Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells


Book Description

Nanomaterials for Direct Alcohol Fuel Cells explains nanomaterials and nanocomposites as well as the characterization, manufacturing, and design of alcohol fuel cell applications. The advantages of direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) are significant for reliable and long-lasting portable power sources used in devices such as mobile phones and computers. Even though substantial improvements have been made in DAFC systems over the last decade, more effort is needed to commercialize DAFCs by producing durable, low-cost, and smaller-sized devices. Nanomaterials have an important role to play in achieving this aim. The use of nanotechnology in DAFCs is vital due to their role in the synthesis of nanocatalysts within the manufacturing process. Lately, nanocatalysts containing carbon such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, and carbon nanocoils have also attracted much attention. When compared to traditional materials, carbon-based materials have unique advantages, such as high corrosion resistance, better electrical conductivity, and less catalyst poisoning. This book also covers different aspects of nanocomposites fabrication, including their preparation, design, and characterization techniques for their fuel cell applications. This book is an important reference source for materials scientists, engineers, energy scientists, and electrochemists who are seeking to improve their understanding of how nanomaterials are being used to enhance the efficiency and lower the cost of DAFCs. Shows how nanomaterials are being used for the design and manufacture of DAFCs Explores how nanotechnology is being used to enhance the synthesis and catalysis processes to create the next generation of fuel cells Assesses the major challenges of producing nanomaterial-based DAFCs on an industrial scale




XAFS Techniques for Catalysts, Nanomaterials, and Surfaces


Book Description

This book is a comprehensive, theoretical, practical, and thorough guide to XAFS spectroscopy. The book addresses XAFS fundamentals such as experiments, theory and data analysis, advanced XAFS methods such as operando XAFS, time-resolved XAFS, spatially resolved XAFS, total-reflection XAFS, high energy resolution XAFS, and practical applications to a variety of catalysts, nanomaterials and surfaces. This book is accessible to a broad audience in academia and industry, and will be a useful guide for researchers entering the subject and graduate students in a wide variety of disciplines.




Nanocarbon Electrochemistry


Book Description

Provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of nanocarbon electrochemistry The discoveries of new carbon materials such as fullerene, graphene, carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoribbon, carbon dots, and graphdiyne have triggered numerous research advances in the field of electrochemistry. This book brings together up-to-date accounts of the recent progress, developments, and achievements in the electrochemistry of different carbon materials, focusing on their unique properties and various applications. Nanocarbon Electrochemistry begins by looking at the studies of heterogeneous electron transfer at various carbon electrodes when redox-active molecules are reversibly and specifically adsorbed on the carbon electrode surface. It then covers electrochemical energy storage applications of various carbon materials, particularly the construction and performance of supercapacitors and batteries by use of graphene and related materials. Next, it concentrates on electrochemical energy conversion applications where electrocatalysis at 0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D carbon materials nanocarbon materials is highlighted. The book finishes with an examination of the contents of electrogenerated chemiluminescence and photoelectrochemical pollutant degradation by use of diamond and related carbon materials. Covers the fundamental properties of different carbon materials and their applications across a wide range of areas Provides sufficient background regarding different applications, which contributes to the understanding of specialists and non-specialists Examines nanoelectrochemistry of adsorption-coupled electron transfer at carbon electrodes; graphene and graphene related materials; diamond electrodes for the electrogenerated chemiluminescence; and more Features contributions from an international team of distinguished researchers Nanocarbon Electrochemistry is an ideal book for students, researchers, and industrial partners working on many diverse fields of electrochemistry, whether they already make frequent use of carbon electrodes in one form of another or are looking at electrodes for new applications.




Nanotechnology for Sustainable Manufacturing


Book Description

Nanotechnology has the potential to play an important role in increasing the sustainability of a wide range of industrial sectors. Nanomaterials could contribute to more sustainable manufacturing through cleaner, less wasteful production processes and can substitute conventional materials, leading to savings in raw materials and energy. Nanotechnology for Sustainable Manufacturing discusses recent progress in the areas of energy and materials efficiency related to resource savings and conservation of raw materials, which are drivers for the application of nanotechnology in the industrial setting. Written by leading experts from Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia, the book provides an innovative perspective by establishing connections between the subject areas associated with nanotechnology and by bridging the academic and industrial research gap. The topics covered include electronics, agrifood, aerospace, pulp and paper manufacturing, batteries, catalysts, solar energy, fuel cells, drinking water, and construction materials. The chapters offer insights into the diverse industries that are currently or likely to be impacted by developments in nanotechnology and nanomaterials. They cover applications such as nanotechnology for alternative energy generation, improving water quality, and novel uses in agriculture and forest products. The book also addresses the use of life-cycle analysis for assessing the sustainability of nanotechnology-based products and processes.




Progress in Catalysis


Book Description

This volume contains papers and short communications presented at the 12th Canadian Symposium on Catalysis. The aim of the meeting was to present an update on new and established areas of catalysis research being performed in industry, government and university laboratories. Topics covered relate mainly to resource processing, such as heavy oil and natural gas upgrading, and to environmental issues. Approximately half the papers are included in sections on hydrogenation, carbon-carbon bond formation and environmental issues. The remaining papers cover general topics and homogeneous reactions. Examples include studies of hydroprocessing catalysts, carbon-carbon bond formation via methane oxidative coupling and dimerization of olefins, homogeneous catalysts in polymerization and dimerization reactions, performance of pillared clays, metal-oxygen cluster compounds, zeolites and catalysts prepared by metal oxide vapour synthesis. Studies that address the environmental issues include wet-air oxidation, catalytic elimination of organics, oxidation reactions and catalyst regeneration. The book provides practitioners of catalysis with an update on a wide number of topics and will be particularly useful to those interested in an overview of current catalysis research activities. Specialists in the areas of hydrogenation, carbon-carbon bond formation, homogeneous catalysis and environmental issues will also find a valuable set of new data and interesting discussions on these topics.




Nanocatalysts


Book Description

Nanocatalysis is a topical area of research that has huge potential. It attempts to merge the advantages of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis. The collection of articles in this book treats the topics of specificity, activity, reusability, and stability of the catalyst and presents a compilation of articles that focuses on different aspects of these issues.




PEM Fuel Cells


Book Description

PEM Fuel Cells: Fundamentals, Advanced Technologies, and Practical Application provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles of PEM fuel cell, their working condition and application, and the latest breakthroughs and challenges for fuel cell technology. Each chapter follows a systematic and consistent structure with clear illustrations and diagrams for easy understanding. The opening chapters address the basics of PEM technology; stacking and membrane electrode assembly for PEM, degradation mechanisms of electrocatalysts, platinum dissolution and redeposition, carbon-support corrosion, bipolar plates and carbon nanotubes for the PEM, and gas diffusion layers. Thermodynamics, operating conditions, and electrochemistry address fuel cell efficiency and the fundamental workings of the PEM. Instruments and techniques for testing and diagnosis are then presented alongside practical tests. Dedicated chapters explain how to use MATLAB and COMSOL to conduct simulation and modeling of catalysts, gas diffusion layers, assembly, and membrane. Degradation and failure modes are discussed in detail, providing strategies and protocols for mitigation. High-temperature PEMs are also examined, as are the fundamentals of EIS. Critically, the environmental impact and life cycle of the production and storage of hydrogen are addressed, as are the risk and durability issues of PEMFC technology. Dedicated chapters are presented on the economics and commercialization of PEMFCs, including discussion of installation costs, initial capital costs, and the regulatory frameworks; apart from this, there is a separate chapter on their application to the automotive industry. Finally, future challenges and applications are considered. PEM Fuel Cells: Fundamentals, Advanced Technologies, and Practical Application provides an in-depth and comprehensive reference on every aspect of PEM fuel cells fundamentals, ideal for researchers, graduates, and students. - Presents the fundamentals of PEM fuel cell technology, electrolytes, membranes, modeling, conductivity, recent trends, and future applications - Addresses commercialization, public policy, and the environmental impacts of PEMFC in dedicated chapters - Presents state-of-the-art PEMFC research alongside the underlying concepts




Platinum Monolayer Electrocatalysts


Book Description

This book describes a science and technology of a new type of electrocatalysts consisting of a single atomic layer of platinum on suitable supports. This development helped overcome three major obstacles—catalysts‘ cost, activity, and stability—for a broad range of fuel cell applications. The volume begins with a short introduction to the science of electrocatalysis, covering four reactions important for energy conversion in fuel cells. A description follows of the properties of metal monolayers on electrode surfaces, and underpotential deposition of metals. The authors then describe the concept of Pt monolayer electrocatalysts and its implications and their synthesis by galvanic displacement of less-noble metal monolayers and other methods. The main part of the book presents a discussion of catalysts’ characterization and catalytic properties of Pt monolayers for the four main reactions of electrochemical energy conversion: oxygen reduction and oxidation of hydrogen, methanol and ethanol. The book concludes with a treatment of scale-up syntheses, fuel cell tests, catalysts’ stability and application prospects.