Gas Diffusion Electrodes with Raney Nickel Catalysts

Gas Diffusion Electrodes with Raney Nickel Catalysts 

The durability and lifetime are important factors for the commercialization of fuel cells. Therefore, the degradation of fuel-cell components has been subjected to an increasing number of studies, mainly focused on PEFCs [56-67]. For AFCs, 

Currently used electrodes are flexible, and the most commonly used electrodes are therefore PTFE-bonded electrodes. The degradation of PTFE-bonded electrodes is described below for different types of nickel anodes and one silver cathode. 

Three different electrode types have been investigated at DLR  

For high anode overpotentials, the nickel is oxidized, the copper is partially dissolved in the electrolyte and the residual aluminum in the electrode is further dissolved during the fuel-cell operation. Additionally, the decomposition or disappearance of PTFE is observed during the electrochemical operation. This result is very surprising because PTFE should be stable during all electrochemical conditions. PTFE is also used in PEFCs as a hydrophobic material in gas diffusion layers and electrodes and is at present a major topic of fuel-cell research. 

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