title: Chlorobenzene Poisoning and Recovery of Platinum-Based Cathodes in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells.
abstract: The platinum electrocatalysts found in proton exchange membrane fuel cells are poisoned both reversibly and irreversibly by air pollutants and residual manufacturing contaminants. In this work, the poisoning of a Pt/C PEMFC cathode was probed by a trace of chlorobenzene in the air feed. Chlorobenzene inhibits the oxygen reduction reaction and causes significant cell performance loss. The performance loss is largely restored by neat air operation and potential cycling between 0.08 V and 1.2 V under H2/N2(anode/cathode). The analysis of emissions, in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectra show the chlorobenzene adsorption/reaction and molecular orientation on Pt surface depend on the electrode potential. At low potentials, chlorobenzene deposits either on top of adsorbed H atoms or on the Pt surface via the benzene ring and is converted to benzene (ca. 0.1 V) or cyclohexane (ca. 0 V) upon Cl removal. At potentials higher than 0.2 V, chlorobenzene binds to Pt via the Cl atom and can be converted to benzene (less than 0.3 V) or desorbed. Cl-is created and remains in the membrane electrode assembly. Cl-binds to the Pt surface much stronger than chlorobenzene, but can slowly be flushed out by liquid water.
authors.affiliation: Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA.
authors.forename: Yunfeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhai
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington DC 20375-5342, USA.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Baturina
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington DC 20375-5342, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ramaker
authors.affiliation: Case Western Reserve University Center for Synchrotron Biosciences, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Farquhar
authors.affiliation: Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: St-Pierre
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington DC 20375-5342, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Swider-Lyons