1. Protonic-Electronic Mixed-Conducting Nanofibers for Energy Conversion
Xiangwu Zhang, Fiber and Polymer Science Program, Department of textile Engineering, Chemistry, and Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Fuel cells are promising candidates for clean power generation because they provide electricity without combustion and pollutants associated with burning fossil fuels. Currently, a significant barrier to widespread use of fuel cells is the low utilization of precious metal catalyst (e.g., Pt) in conventional electrode structures. Novel protonic-electronic mixed-conducting nanofibers were fabricated using the electrospinning technology to support Pt electrodes. The catalyst in these nanofiber electrodes has simultaneous access to reactants, protons, and electrons, and hence the resultant fuel cells have high catalyst utilization and effective power-generation ability.
Nanofiber Electrode
Electrospinning V
Syringe
Needle
Polymer Jet
Collector
Polymer
Solution
High Voltage
Power Supply
Traditional Electrode