Comparative Study of Epoxy-CsH2PO4 Composite Electrolytes and Porous Metal Based Electrocatalysts for Solid Acid Electrochemical Cells

Abstract

Electrochemical cells based on acid salts (CsH2PO4) have attracted great interest for intermediate temperature, due to the outstanding proton conductivity of acid salts. In this work, electrodes and electrolyte were optimized following different strategies. An epoxy resin was added to the CsH2PO4 material to enhance the mechanical properties of the electrolyte, achieving good conductivity, enhanced stability, and cyclability. The electrodes configuration was modified, and Ni sponge was selected as active support. The infiltration of different oxide nanoparticles was carried out to tailor the electrodes resistance by promoting the electrocatalyst activity of electrodes. The selection of a cell supported on the electrode and the addition of an epoxy resin enables the reduction of the electrolyte thickness without damaging the mechanical stability of the thinner electrolyte.