Rana, Zahra Imran; (2024) Low Cost Alternatives to Pt/C for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Hydrogen Fuel Cells. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

Countless climate reports have highlighted the urgency of achieving Net Zero, with the UK parliament enacting legislation aiming for a 78% reduction in emissions by 2035 compared to 1990 levels. This ambitious yet essential target necessitates widespread decarbonisation across various sectors, in which electrification will play a key role. This future energy system must be met with sustainability and flexibility, employing electrochemical energy storage and conversion mechanisms such as batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors. Technical targets for fuel cells are constantly evolving, but always centre around three main points: reducing cost, enhancing performance, and increasing durability. The largest proportion of fuel cell costs is due to the platinum catalyst. Alternatives to platinum include transition metals, which are more readily available in the Earth’s surface and significantly more cost-effective. Both types of metal catalysts typically require an activated carbon support. Traditionally, this carbon is synthesised via energy and time-consuming processes involving the incomplete combustion of heavy petroleum products or coal. An alternate, more sustainable way to produce this carbon by utilising biomass precursors. In this thesis, a high-performing and low-cost electrocatalyst is synthesised for the oxygen reduction reaction in hydrogen fuel cells. It is characterised by a range of techniques, and its electrochemical performance is determined by both ex-situ half-cell techniques and full fuel cell testing in an alkaline exchange membrane fuel cell, yielding very promising results. Crucially, this electrocatalyst does not use platinum group metals, instead using iron and cobalt transition metals. Additionally, it utilises Cannabis sativa L. (a biomass material) as a sustainable support material.

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