Creation of Novel Bi-functional Electrocatalyst and Development of Innovative-Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cell

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K05940
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Inorganic industrial materials
• Research Institution: Oita University
• Principal Investigator: Kinumoto Taro 大分大学, 理工学部, 准教授 (90464429)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 一体化再生型燃料電池 / 水素発生反応 / 酸素還元反応 / 二元機能電極触媒

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The preparation and the electrocatalytic performance of TiOxNy/AC were investigated to realize the innovative-unitized regenerative fuel cell (I-URFC). TiOxNy/AC(activated carbon powder) was successfully prepared through loading of TiO2 crystals on AC by a modified liquid-phase deposition and subsequent NH3 nitridation. The diffraction peaks assigned to TiN and TiO and the broad peak of carbon were found in XRD patterns after NH3 nitridation. The diameter of TiOxNy particles was confirmed to be less than 100 nm.
The hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen reduction reaction were investigated by hydrodynamic voltammetry. The hydrogen production rate was also estimated by a gas chromatography. Hydrogen production was confirmed at overpotential = 0.1 V. In addition, the onset potential for ORR was estimated over 0.7 V vs. RHE. This result shows that TiOxNy/AC has also a catalytic activity for ORR. The prototype of I-URFC was also investigated.

Free Research Field

化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

一体化再生型燃料電池は、水の電気分解で水素と酸素を製造し、それらで燃料電池として発電するCO2フリーの自立型発電機であるが、貴金属を多量に使うなどその実現の難度は高い。本研究では、貴金属を一切使用しないチタン酸窒化物担持活性炭が水素発生反応と酸素還元反応の両方に触媒活性を持つことを世界で初めて実証した。その成果の学術的・社会的意義は大きい。また、それを使った革新型一体化再生型燃料電池の原理確認を行った成果はSDGsに対する貢献として社会的意義が大きいと言える。