The use of carbonized bamboo fibers and the surface modification of electrode materials in polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Abstract

Polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) technology is essential for using hydrogen as an energy source while enabling the reduction of CO₂ emissions. This paper reports the development of PEFC materials, including the use of bamboo for the gas diffusion layer (GDL) and surface modification of the electrocatalysts. To use bamboo as a material for the GDL, non-woven fabrics were made from bamboo fibers followed by carbonization. PEFC electrocatalysts, particularly cathode catalysts, were evaluated as a support of the electrocatalysts after chemical modification of the carbonaceous materials with tin oxide. The potential use of carbonaceous materials modified by titanium oxynitride was also investigated as the cathode catalyst. Modifying the surface of the carbonaceous support with organic compounds, such as O-methylation and amidine-group molecules, is also discussed.