Publications (3)0 Total impact
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ABSTRACT: CSIR 3rd Beinnual Conference 2010, Science Real and Relevant, CSIR International Convention Center, Pretoria, South Africa Alloyed electrocatalysts such as PtNi/C[1-2], PtCo/C[3], PtCr/C[4], PtFe/C [5-6], and non-alloyed Pt-TiO2/C were reportedly investigated for methanol tolerance during Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The high methanol tolerance of these electrocatalysts during the ORR was attributed to a composition effect, disordered stucture and low activity for methanol oxidation reaction. Most Pt alloy electrocatalysts were prepared via a complex procedure or by high temeperature thermal reduction. In this work, Pt3Ni/C alloy electrocatalysts were synthesised by a simple route at low temperature, resulting in a highly-alloyed product with high ORR activity and excellent methanol tolerance
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ABSTRACT: Riga, Latvia, 16-19 March 2010 Alkaline membrane fuel cell (AMFC) has been received increasing attention among the different types of fuel cells. Ammonium quaternized polymers such as poly (arylene ether sulfones) are being developed and studied as candidates of ionomeric materials for AMFCs, due to their low cost and promising electrochemical properties. However, the performance of AMFC based on this type of membrane is still low due to easy degradation in alkaline medium at temperatures above 60 C. Nevertheless, the development of anion exchange membranes for AMFC is still in the early stage. It is still required to develop the anion exchange membranes for an improved performance of AMFC For the first time, an anion exchange membrane based on alkali doped ABPBI was prepared. The alkali doped poly(2,5-benzimidazole) membrane is a promising candidate as anion exchange membrane for fuel cell application. The alkali doped poly(2,5-benzimidazole) membrane reached an anion conductivity of 2.3×10-2 S cm-1 at room temperature. The alkali doped poly(2,5-benzimidazole) membrane showed excellent anion conductive stability in the alkali media up to 100°C and high thermal stability comparing with membranes based on quaternized polymers
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ABSTRACT: CSIR Research and Innovation Conference: 1st CSIR Biennial Conference, CSIR International Convention Centre Pretoria, 26-27 February 2006 Increasing amount of funding is becoming available internationally to develop 'hydrogen economy'. The main drivers for countries to pursue this field are the need to create more energy independence and to address environmental issues. An important aspect of the hydrogen economy is the use of fuel cells, which is a device that converts chemical energy,for example hydrogen, directly into electrical energy, without the need to burn fuel to create the steam or gas that drives a generator. Functioning similarly to a battery, which uses electrochemical conversion, fuel cells take in hydrogen- rich fuel and oxygen and turn them into electricity and heat. The hydrogen used can be derived from gasoline, natural gas, propane or methanol. Within the CSIR and within South Africa's government and industry, it has been realised that research into fuel cells is important for South Africa for the same reasons as in other countries. In addition, since South Africa accounts for about 77% of the world's platinum supply and since platinum and other precious metals are an important part of fuels cells, South Africa could become a key player in a future hydrogen economy and fuel cell technology
