Pore-scale study of effects of different Pt loading reduction schemes on reactive transport processes in catalyst layers of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruiyuan Zhang ◽  
Ting Min ◽  
Yan Liu ◽  
Li Chen ◽  
Wen-Quan Tao
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Reactive Transport ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Pore Scale ◽  
Catalyst Layers ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Pore-scale and multiscale study of effects of Pt degradation on reactive transport processes in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

2019 ◽  
Vol 253 ◽  
pp. 113590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruiyuan Zhang ◽  
Ting Min ◽  
Li Chen ◽  
Qinjun Kang ◽  
Ya-Ling He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Reactive Transport ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Pore Scale ◽  
Exchange Membrane

scholarly journals Effect of Stratification of Cathode Catalyst Layers on Durability of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 2975
Author(s):  
Zikhona Nondudule ◽  
Jessica Chamier ◽  
Mahabubur Chowdhury
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Electrochemical Impedance ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Membrane Electrode ◽  
Potential Cycling ◽  
Catalyst Layers ◽  
Exchange Membrane

To decrease the cost of fuel cell manufacturing, the amount of platinum (Pt) in the catalyst layer needs to be reduced. In this study, ionomer gradient membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) were designed to reduce Pt loading without sacrificing performance and lifetime. A two-layer stratification of the cathode was achieved with varying ratios of 28 wt. % ionomer in the inner layer, on the membrane, and 24 wt. % on the outer layer, coated onto the inner layer. To study the MEA performance, the electrochemical surface area (ECSA), polarization curves, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) responses were evaluated under 20, 60, and 100% relative humidity (RH). The stratified MEA Pt loading was reduced by 12% while maintaining commercial equivalent performance. The optimal two-layer design was achieved when the Pt loading ratio between the layers was 1:6 (inner:outer layer). This MEA showed the highest ECSA and performance at 0.65 V with reduced mass transport losses. The integrity of stratified MEAs with lower Pt loading was evaluated with potential cycling and proved more durable than the monolayer MEA equivalent. The higher ionomer loading adjacent to the membrane and the bi-layer interface of the stratified catalyst layer (CL) increased moisture in the cathode CL, decreasing the degradation rate. Using ionomer stratification to decrease the Pt loading in an MEA yielded a better performance compared to the monolayer MEA design. This study, therefore, contributes to the development of more durable, cost-effective MEAs for low-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

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