AVS 52nd International Symposium
    Applied Surface Science Monday Sessions
       Session AS-MoP

Paper AS-MoP22
Electrochemical Spectroscopic Studies of New Materials for PEM Fuel Cells

Monday, October 31, 2005, 5:00 pm, Room Exhibit Hall C&D

Session: Aspects of Applied Surface Science Poster Session
Presenter: P.C. Wong, University of British Columbia, Canada
Authors: P.C. Wong, University of British Columbia, Canada
D. Susac, University of British Columbia, Canada
L. Zhu, University of British Columbia, Canada
A. Sode, University of British Columbia, Canada
M. Teo, University of British Columbia, Canada
D. Bizzotto, University of British Columbia, Canada
R. Parsons, University of British Columbia, Canada
K.A.R. Mitchell, University of British Columbia, Canada
S.A. Campbell, Ballard Power Systems, Canada
Correspondent: Click to Email
A new approach for designing potential catalysts for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells involves characterizing surfaces of thin film materials fabricated as possible cathodes, to avoid the expense and slow oxygen reduction kinetics associated with platinum. This paper will describe studies, especially with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning Auger microscopy (SAM) of metal chalcogenide surfaces before and after electrochemical activity. Particular examples will be presented for thin films formed by cobalt and selenium, and the electrochemical behaviors will be related to the surface character of the different samples.