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Reshaping the Cathodic Catalyst Layer for Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: From Heterogeneous Catalysis to Homogeneous Catalysis
Author(s) -
Ren Rong,
Wang Xiaojiang,
Chen Hengquan,
Miller Hamish Andrew,
Salam Ihtasham,
Varcoe John Robert,
Wu Liang,
Chen Youhu,
Liao HongGang,
Liu Ershuai,
Bartoli Francesco,
Vizza Francesco,
Jia Qingying,
He Qinggang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.202012547
Subject(s) - catalysis , overpotential , nanoreactor , chemical engineering , materials science , membrane , heterogeneous catalysis , catalyst support , homogeneous catalysis , chemistry , organic chemistry , electrode , electrochemistry , biochemistry , engineering
Abstract In anion exchange membrane fuel cells, catalytic reactions occur at a well‐defined three‐phase interface, wherein conventional heterogeneous catalyst layer structures exacerbate problems, such as low catalyst utilization and limited mass transfer. We developed a structural engineering strategy to immobilize a molecular catalyst tetrakis(4‐methoxyphenyl)porphyrin cobalt(II) (TMPPCo) on the side chains of an ionomer (polyfluorene, PF) to obtain a composite material (PF‐TMPPCo), thereby achieving a homogeneous catalysis environment inside ion‐flow channels, with greatly improved mass transfer and turnover frequency as a result of 100 % utilization of the catalyst molecules. The unique structure of the homogeneous catalysis system comprising interconnected nanoreactors exhibits advantages of low overpotential and high fuel‐cell power density. This strategy of reshaping of the catalyst layer structure may serve as a new platform for applications of many molecular catalysts in fuel cells.