High performance catalyzed membranes of ultra-low Pt loadings for polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Journal Article · Sat Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1992 · Journal of the Electrochemical Society; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1149/1.2069277· OSTI ID:5280315

Wilson, M S; Gottesfeld, S ^[1]

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1. Electronics Research Group, Los Alamos National Lab., Los Alamos, NM (US)

This paper reports on polymer electrolyte membranes that are catalyzed by the direct application of thin film catalyst layers cast from solutions of suspended Pt/C catalyst and solubilized Nafion ionomer. Both the ionomeric membrane and the solubilized ionmer are in the Na{sup +} form during casting to enable higher curing temperatures, which results in more robust catalyst layers. In addition to simplifying the fabrication process, the direct application apparently provides enhanced bonding at the interface between the membrane and the catalyst layer. Consequently, the performances of fuel cells utilizing these catalyzed membranes with ultra-low platinum loading are superior to those achieved with other approaches to polymer electrolyte membranes of low Pt loading.

• OSTI ID: 5280315
• Journal Information: Journal of the Electrochemical Society; (United States), Vol. 139:2; ISSN 0013-4651
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
MEMBRANES
FABRICATION
PERFORMANCE
POLYMERS
SOLID ELECTROLYTE FUEL CELLS
MATERIALS TESTING
CARBON
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
ELECTROCHEMISTRY
PLATINUM
CHEMISTRY
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELEMENTS
FUEL CELLS
METALS
NONMETALS
PLATINUM METALS
TESTING
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
300503* - Fuel Cells- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries
300502 - Fuel Cells- Performance & Testing
300501 - Fuel Cells- Design & Development
400400 - Electrochemistry