Permselective composite membrane for electrochemical cells
An electrochemical cell includes an anode including an anode catalyst, a cathode including a cathode catalyst, and a first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles between the anode and the cathode, such that the first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles is not in contact with the anode. The cathode may be a cathode assembly including a gas diffusion electrode, a cathode catalyst on the gas diffusion electrode, and proton-conducting metal nanoparticles on the cathode catalyst.
1. An electrochemical cell, comprising:
an anode comprising an anode catalyst,
a cathode comprising a cathode catalyst, and
a first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles between the anode and the cathode;
where the first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles comprises palladium and is not in contact with the anode with the proviso that the first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles does not include platinum,
the cathode further comprises a gas diffusion electrode,
the cathode catalyst is directly on the gas diffusion electrode, and
the first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles is directly on the cathode catalyst.
2. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , where the first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles is present at a level of at least 0.1 mg/cm 2 of an active area of the cathode.
3. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , where the first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles further comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of vanadium, niobium, tantalum, titanium, and nickel alloys.
4. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , further comprising at least one element between the anode and the first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles,
where the element is selected from the group consisting of a channel, a polymer electrolyte membrane, and a liquid electrolyte in a host material.
5. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , further comprising a channel between the anode and the first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles,
the channel comprising at least one inlet and at least one outlet.
6. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , further comprising a polymer electrolyte membrane between the anode and the first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles.
7. The electrochemical cell of claim 6 , further comprising a channel between the first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles and the cathode,
the channel comprising at least one inlet and at least one outlet.
8. The electrochemical cell of claim 7 , further comprising a liquid electrolyte in the channel.
9. The electrochemical cell of claim 1 , where at least 90 weight percent of the transition metal content of the first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles is palladium.
10. An electrochemical cell, comprising:
an anode comprising an anode catalyst,
a cathode comprising a cathode catalyst,
a first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles between the anode and the cathode; and
a matrix material directly on the cathode catalyst,
where the first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles comprises palladium and is not in contact with the anode with the proviso that the first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles does not include platinum,
the cathode further comprises a gas diffusion electrode,
the cathode catalyst is directly on the gas diffusion electrode, and
the first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles is present as a mixture with the matrix material.
11. The electrochemical cell of claim 10 , where the matrix material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of an inorganic network, an organic network, a membrane, and combinations thereof.
12. The electrochemical cell of claim 10 , where at least 90 weight percent of the transition metal content of the proton-conducting metal nanoparticles is palladium.
13. A method of making the electrochemical cell of claim 1 , comprising:
placing the first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles between the anode and the cathode.
placing the first set of proton-conducting metal nanoparticles on at least one of the cathode, the polymer electrolyte membrane, or the host material.
14. A method of generating electricity from the electrochemical cell of claim 1 , comprising:
contacting the cathode with an oxidant, and
contacting the anode with a fuel,
where complementary half cell reactions take place at the cathode and the anode.
15. A method of generating electricity from the electrochemical cell of claim 10 , comprising:
contacting the cathode with a flow of gaseous oxidant,
flowing a liquid electrolyte through the channel, and
contacting the anode with a fuel,
where complementary half cell reactions take place at the cathode and the anode.