Fuel cell catalyst layers containing short-side-chain perfluorosulfonic acid ionomers

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 196; no. 1; pp. 179 - 181
• Main Authors: Peron, Jennifer, Edwards, Dave, Haldane, Mark, Luo, Xiaoyan, Zhang, Yongming, Holdcroft, Steven, Shi, Zhiqing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Catalyst layers; Catalysts; Chains; Deposition; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Ionomers; Low equivalent weight; PEM; PEMFC; Polarization; Porosity; Relative humidity; Short-side-chain PFSA ionomer; PEM; PEMFC; Short-side-chain PFSA ionomer; Catalyst layers; Fuel cells; Low equivalent weight; Ionomer; Polymer electrolytes; Fluorosulfuric acid; Polymer solid electrolyte; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells; Catalyst; Fuel cell
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.06.050

Porous catalyst layers (CLs) containing short-side-chain (SSC) perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) ionomers of different ion exchange capacity (IEC: 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5
meq
g
−1) were deposited onto Nafion 211 to form catalyst-coated membranes. The porosity of SSC-PFSA-based CLs is larger than Nafion-CL analogues. CLs incorporating SSC ionomer extend the current density of fuel cell polarization curves at elevated temperature and lower relative humidity compared to those based on long-side chain PFSA (e.g., Nafion)-based CLs. Fuel cell polarization performance was greatly improved at 110
°C and 30% relative humidity (RH) when SSC PFSI was incorporated into the catalyst layer.