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Mark K. Debe

Bio: Mark K. Debe is an academic researcher from M&Co.. The author has contributed to research in topics: Proton exchange membrane fuel cell & Platinum. The author has an hindex of 28, co-authored 74 publications receiving 6473 citations. Previous affiliations of Mark K. Debe include 3M & University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.


Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
07 Jun 2012-Nature
TL;DR: Taking the step towards successful commercialization requires oxygen reduction electrocatalysts that meet exacting performance targets, and these catalyst systems will need to be highly durable, fault-tolerant and amenable to high-volume production with high yields and exceptional quality.
Abstract: Fuel cells powered by hydrogen from secure and renewable sources are the ideal solution for non-polluting vehicles, and extensive research and development on all aspects of this technology over the past fifteen years has delivered prototype cars with impressive performances. But taking the step towards successful commercialization requires oxygen reduction electrocatalysts--crucial components at the heart of fuel cells--that meet exacting performance targets. In addition, these catalyst systems will need to be highly durable, fault-tolerant and amenable to high-volume production with high yields and exceptional quality. Not all the catalyst approaches currently being pursued will meet those demands.

4,538 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a comparative evaluation of electrocatalyst surface area stability in PEM fuel cells under accelerated durability testing is provided, showing that the nanostructured thin film (NSTF) surface area is significantly more stable than the conventional carbon-supported dispersed Pt catalysts.

371 citations

Patent
29 Apr 1998
TL;DR: Nanostructured elements are used in the electrode of a membrane electrode assembly for use in fuel cells, sensors, electrochemical cells, and the like as discussed by the authors, which may demonstrate improved carbon monoxide tolerance.
Abstract: Nanostructured elements are provided for use in the electrode of a membrane electrode assembly for use in fuel cells, sensors, electrochemical cells, and the like. The nanostructured elements comprise acicular microstructured support whiskers bearing acicular nanoscopic catalyst particles which may comprise alternating layers of catalyst materials, which may comprise a surface layer that differs in composition from the bulk composition of the catalyst particles, and which may demonstrate improved carbon monoxide tolerance.

207 citations

Patent
02 Sep 1998
TL;DR: In this article, an ion conductive membrane, a catalyst and a porous particle filled polymer membrane are used to produce fuel cells, electrolyzers and electrochemical reactors, and the polymer film serving as the electrode backing layer is processed by heating the particle loaded porous film to a temperature within 20 degrees of the melting point of the polymer to decrease the Gurley value and the electrical resistivity.
Abstract: Membrane electrode assemblies are described that include an ion conductive membrane a catalyst adjacent to the major surfaces of the ion conductive membrane and a porous particle filled polymer membrane adjacent to the ion conductive membrane. The catalyst can be disposed on the major surfaces of the ion conductive membrane. Preferably, the catalyst is disposed in nanostructures. The polymer film serving as the electrode backing layer preferably is processed by heating the particle loaded porous film to a temperature within about 20 degrees of the melting point of the polymer to decrease the Gurley value and the electrical resistivity. The MEAs can be produced in a continuous roll process. The MEAs can be used to produce fuel cells, electrolyzers and electrochemical reactors.

190 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
16 Aug 2012-Nature
TL;DR: This Perspective provides a snapshot of the current energy landscape and discusses several research and development opportunities and pathways that could lead to a prosperous, sustainable and secure energy future for the world.
Abstract: Access to clean, affordable and reliable energy has been a cornerstone of the world's increasing prosperity and economic growth since the beginning of the industrial revolution. Our use of energy in the twenty–first century must also be sustainable. Solar and water–based energy generation, and engineering of microbes to produce biofuels are a few examples of the alternatives. This Perspective puts these opportunities into a larger context by relating them to a number of aspects in the transportation and electricity generation sectors. It also provides a snapshot of the current energy landscape and discusses several research and development opportunities and pathways that could lead to a prosperous, sustainable and secure energy future for the world.

7,721 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
07 Jun 2012-Nature
TL;DR: Taking the step towards successful commercialization requires oxygen reduction electrocatalysts that meet exacting performance targets, and these catalyst systems will need to be highly durable, fault-tolerant and amenable to high-volume production with high yields and exceptional quality.
Abstract: Fuel cells powered by hydrogen from secure and renewable sources are the ideal solution for non-polluting vehicles, and extensive research and development on all aspects of this technology over the past fifteen years has delivered prototype cars with impressive performances. But taking the step towards successful commercialization requires oxygen reduction electrocatalysts--crucial components at the heart of fuel cells--that meet exacting performance targets. In addition, these catalyst systems will need to be highly durable, fault-tolerant and amenable to high-volume production with high yields and exceptional quality. Not all the catalyst approaches currently being pursued will meet those demands.

4,538 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The emphasis of this review is on the origin of the electrocatalytic activity of nanostructured catalysts toward a series of key clean energy conversion reactions by correlating the apparent electrode performance with their intrinsic electrochemical properties.
Abstract: A fundamental change has been achieved in understanding surface electrochemistry due to the profound knowledge of the nature of electrocatalytic processes accumulated over the past several decades and to the recent technological advances in spectroscopy and high resolution imaging. Nowadays one can preferably design electrocatalysts based on the deep theoretical knowledge of electronic structures, via computer-guided engineering of the surface and (electro)chemical properties of materials, followed by the synthesis of practical materials with high performance for specific reactions. This review provides insights into both theoretical and experimental electrochemistry toward a better understanding of a series of key clean energy conversion reactions including oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The emphasis of this review is on the origin of the electrocatalytic activity of nanostructured catalysts toward the aforementioned reactions by correlating the apparent electrode performance with their intrinsic electrochemical properties. Also, a rational design of electrocatalysts is proposed starting from the most fundamental aspects of the electronic structure engineering to a more practical level of nanotechnological fabrication.

3,918 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a review of the state-of-the-art for PEM electrolysis technology is presented, which provides an insightful overview of the research that is already done and the challenges that still exist.

3,208 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This comprehensive Review focuses on the low- and non-platinum electrocatalysts including advanced platinum alloys, core-shell structures, palladium-based catalysts, metal oxides and chalcogenides, carbon-based non-noble metal catalysts and metal-free catalysts.
Abstract: The recent advances in electrocatalysis for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are thoroughly reviewed. This comprehensive Review focuses on the low- and non-platinum electrocatalysts including advanced platinum alloys, core–shell structures, palladium-based catalysts, metal oxides and chalcogenides, carbon-based non-noble metal catalysts, and metal-free catalysts. The recent development of ORR electrocatalysts with novel structures and compositions is highlighted. The understandings of the correlation between the activity and the shape, size, composition, and synthesis method are summarized. For the carbon-based materials, their performance and stability in fuel cells and comparisons with those of platinum are documented. The research directions as well as perspectives on the further development of more active and less expensive electrocatalysts are provided.

2,964 citations