A few days ago, the famous journal Science published an academic paper by the research team of China Geo University (Wuhan), announcing that proton channels with low mobility barriers were designed and constructed by confining protons to heterogeneous interfaces through the electronic state characteristics of semiconductor heterogeneous interfaces. The first author of this paper is Yan Wu, an associate professor in School of Materials and Chemistry, China Geo University.
It is reported that the research team has been committed to the research of low-temperature high-performance fuel cells, focusing on the development of electrolytes with high proton conductivity. After repeated experiments, the team designed and constructed a proton channel with low migration barrier by locating protons on the heterogeneous interface through the electronic state characteristics of the semiconductor heterogeneous interface.
The working principle of a fuel cell vehicle is to send hydrogen to the anode plate (cathode) of the fuel cell. Under the action of catalyst (platinum), one electron in the hydrogen atom is separated, and the hydrogen ions (protons) that lose electrons pass through the proton exchange membrane to reach the cathode plate (anode) of the fuel cell, while the electrons can only reach the cathode plate of the fuel cell through the external circuit, thus generating current in the external circuit.
To put it simply, the research team of the University of Geosciences is like building a highway for protons, that is, using semiconductor heterogeneous interface fields to induce metal states and help superprotons' run' quickly and well, thus obtaining excellent conductivity. It is reported that compared with traditional electrolyte materials, the conductivity has been improved by three orders of magnitude, and the demonstration of advanced proton ceramic fuel cells has been realized. (Text/car home? Li Zhengguang)