Synthesis and characterization of lsco and lscu for use as catalyst support in pemfc

Abstract

La0.6Sr0.4CoO3-δ (LSCO) and La0.7Sr0.3CuO3-δ (LSCU) are synthesized by the glycine nitrate process for use as catalyst support in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). The bulk electrical conductivity was investigated between the temperature ranges of 25 to 800°C. The powders were physiochemically characterized by X-ray diffraction and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area measurements. Chemical stability tests of the material powders were performed in acidic and basic media. The tests showed that only LSCO possessed a pure perovskite phase structure, and it was chemically stable in basic media. Hence, Pd loadings of 20wt% and 40wt% supported on LSCO were prepared and its electrochemical performance in 1M KOH, 1M KOH 1M methanol, and 1M KOH 1M ethanol was compared against Pd supported on MWCNT and XC72. XRD results of the supported catalysts confirmed the presence of Pd on the catalysts, and CV tests revealed that LSCO was unable to outperform MWCNT and XC72 as a catalyst support.