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Characterization of Nb and W Doped Titania as Catalyst Supports for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Pages: 177-185

H. Chhina^*,1,2, S. Campbell¹, and O. Kesler²

¹AFCC-Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation Corp., 9000 Glenlyon Parkway, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5J 5J8
²Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, 5 King’s College Road, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5S 3G8

Received: January 29, 2009, Accepted: September 24, 2009

Abstract:
Niobium doped titania and tungsten doped titania prepared using a sol-gel technique were evaluated as possible catalyst support materials for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The electrical conductivity of the doped materials prepared under different heat-treatment temperatures and partial oxygen pressures was measured. Rutile 10Nb-TiO2 was extremely conductive compared to the anatase 10Nb-TiO2. For the W doped samples the conductivity was found to be extremely low compared to the rutile 10Nb-TiO2, and W segregation was observed when the material was reduced in H2 at temperatures greater than 700°C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis was completed on 10Nb-TiO2 calcined at 500°C and on 10Nb-TiO2 calcined and then reduced at a range of temperatures (500°C to 900°C).

Keywords:
Catalyst support, oxidation, titania, tungsten doped titania, niobium doped titania, carbon, proton exchange membrane fuel cells, electrocatalyst