The poor durability issue of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells is a major concern in terms of their commercialization. To understand the degradation mechanism of the catalysts, an accelerated durability test (ADT) was conducted according to the protocol established by internationally accredited organizations. However, reversible and irreversible factors contributing to the loss of activity have not yet been practically segregated because of the limitations of a batch-type three-electrode system, leading to the misunderstanding of the deactivation mechanism. In this study, we investigated the effect of a fresh electrolyte on the ADT and recovery process. When the fresh electrolyte was used at every range of the cycle, the chances of incorrect detection of dissolved CO and Pt ions in the electrolyte were very low. When the same electrolyte was used throughout the test, the accumulated Pt ions were deposited on the surface of the Pt nanoparticles or carbon support, affording an increased electrochemical surface area (ECSA) of Pt. Therefore, we believe that periodic replacement by a fresh electrolyte or a continuous-flow electrolyte is essential for the precise determination of the structural and electrochemical changes in Pt/C catalysts.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of combination of disinfection process (electrolysis, UV process) on Escherichia coli (E. coli) disinfection and oxidants (OH radical, ClO2, HOCl, H2O2 and O3) generation. The effect of electrolyte type (NaCl, KCl and Na2SO4) on the E. coli disinfection and oxidants generation were evaluated. The experimental results showed that performance of E. coli disinfection of electrolysis and UV single process was similar. Combination of electrolysis and UV process enhanced the E. coli disinfection and 4-carboxybenzaldehyde (4-CBA, indicator of the generation of OH radical) degradation. It is clearly showed synergy effect on disinfection and OH radical formation. However chlorine (ClO2, HOCl) and oxygen type (H2O2, O3) oxidants were decreased with the combination of two process. In electrolysis + UV complex process, electro-generated H2O2 and O3 were reacted with UV light of UV-C lamp and increased 4-CBA degradation(increase OH radical). Disinfection of electrolyte of chlorine type was higher than that of the sulfate type electrolyte due to the higher generation of OH radical and oxidants.

TiO2- and SiO2-supported Co3O4, Pt and Co3O4-Pt catalysts have been studied for CO and C3H8 oxidations at temperatures less than 250℃ which is a lower limit of light-off temperatures to oxidize them during emission test cycles of gasoline-fueled automotives with TWCs (three-way catalytic converters) consisting mainly of Pt, Pd and Rh. All the catalysts after appropriate activation such as calcination at 350℃ and reduction at 400℃ exhibited significant dependence on both their preparation techniques and supports upon CO oxidation at chosen temperatures. A Pt/TiO2 catalyst prepared by using an ion-exchange method (IE) has much better activity for such CO oxidation because of smaller Pt nanoparticles, compared to a supported Pt obtained via an incipient wetness (IW). Supported Co3O4-only catalysts are very active for CO oxidation even at 100℃, but the use of TiO2 as a support and the IW technique give the best performances. These effects on supports and preparation methods were indicated for Co3O4-Pt catalysts. Based on activity profiles of CO oxidation at 100℃ over a physical mixture of supported Pt and Co3O4 after activation under different conditions, and typical light-off temperatures of CO and unburned hydrocarbons in common TWCs as tested for C3H8 oxidation at 250℃ with a Pt-exchanged SiO2 catalyst, this study may offer an useful approach to substitute Co3O4 for a part of platinum group metals, particularly Pt, thereby lowering the usage of the precious metals.