Optimization of catalyst ink composition for the preparation of a membrane electrode assembly in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell using the decal transfer

For low interfacial resistance and feasibility of forming catalyst layer (CL), decal transfer (DT) is considered as one of the most effective methods for preparing a membrane electrode assembly. However, optimization of the catalyst ink composition is necessary, because of the complexity of the CL....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of hydrogen energy 2012-12, Vol.37 (23), p.18446-18454
Main Authors: Jung, Chi-Young, Kim, Wha-Jung, Yi, Sung-Chul
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alternative fuels. Production and utilization
Applied sciences
Assembly
Catalysts
Cyclic voltammetry
Decal transfer
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Electrodes
Energy
Exact sciences and technology
Feasibility
Fuels
Hydrogen
Membrane electrode assembly
Optimization
Proton exchange membrane fuel cell
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells
Solvents
Swelling
Swelling agent
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Summary:For low interfacial resistance and feasibility of forming catalyst layer (CL), decal transfer (DT) is considered as one of the most effective methods for preparing a membrane electrode assembly. However, optimization of the catalyst ink composition is necessary, because of the complexity of the CL. Here, 1-propanol is adsorbed onto the CL coated onto the decal, as a swelling agent, for complete transfer of the CL onto Nafion membrane. Using this methodology, flat and complete DT is achieved at the hot-pressing conditions of 60 °C and 5 MPa. For optimization, the solvent-to-carbon ratio (SCR) and Nafion-to-carbon ratio (NCR) are controlled to achieve improved cell performance. In this study, by considering the morphology of CL and the cell performance when CL is annealed at temperatures sufficiently below the boiling point of the solvent, optimized SCR and NCR values of approximately 12.0 and 0.65, respectively, are obtained. In addition, microstructure, thickness and various electrochemical properties of the CLs are examined in detail. ► Comparison of microstructure between CCG and CCM MEAs. ► MEA preparation by controlling GCR and NCR of the catalyst ink. ► Evaluating cell performance by comparing microstructure, EIS and ECSA. ► Optimization of catalyst ink composition using a modified DT.
ISSN:0360-3199
1879-3487
DOI:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2012.09.013