PEM Fuel Cells

[Muzzwezz]

Hi

 

I am making a PEM fuel cell and am using a 10cm * 10cm Nafion 112 membrane,

 

However I am having trouble with electrodes, please can you advise me what materials I can use as electrodes?

 

Platinum is too expensive, I hear carbon is second best but as I’m short on time is there any other material I can use too that’s more available?

 

Also

 

What voltage should I use to charge my PEM?

 

Many thanks

 

Dominic

[silverslith]

Hi

 

I am making a PEM fuel cell and am using a 10cm * 10cm Nafion 112 membrane,

 

However I am having trouble with electrodes, please can you advise me what materials I can use as electrodes?

 

Platinum is too expensive, I hear carbon is second best but as I’m short on time is there any other material I can use too that’s more available?

 

Also

 

What voltage should I use to charge my PEM?

 

Many thanks

 

Dominic

 

I used to pull apart batteries for their carbon electrodes. Not sure if they still make them with those though. Real cheap no-name brands probably do.

[UncleAl]

Start by reading about water fuel cells,

 

Physics Today 59(10) 38 (2006)

 

You need a platinum group catalyst, typically dispersed on carbon or electrolessly plated. If you do not have catalyst bed porosity, how do reactants get into the fuel cell?

[Muzzwezz]

thanks for the replies,

 

"You need a platinum group catalyst"

 

so nickel or uranium them? :eek:

 

"If you do not have catalyst bed porosity, how do reactants get into the fuel cell?" - i have no idea what that means, however heres a CG pic

 

 

based on PIC:

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a239/muzzwezz/IM000191.jpg