Exploring substrate/ionomer interaction under oxidizing and reducing environments

Journal Article · 09 February 2018 · Electrochemistry Communications

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elecom.2018.01.004 · OSTI ID:1440958

Tesfaye, Meron ^[1]; MacDonald, Andrew N. ^[2]; Dudenas, Peter J. ^[1]; Kusoglu, Ahmet ^[3]; Weber, Adam Z.  ^[3]

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1. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States). Dept. of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). Energy Technologies Area
2. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States). Dept. of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
3. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). Energy Technologies Area

Local gas transport limitation attributed to the ionomer thin-film in the catalyst layer is a major deterrent to widespread commercialization of polymer-electrolyte fuel cells. So far functionality and limitations of these thin-films have been assumed identical in the anode and cathode. In this study, Nafion ionomer thin-films on platinum(Pt) support were exposed to H₂ and air as model schemes, mimicking anode and cathode catalyst layers. Findings indicate decreased swelling, increased densification of ionomer matrix, and increased humidity-induced aging rates in reducing environment, compared to oxidizing and inert environments. Observed phenomenon could be related to underlying Pt-gas interaction dictating Pt-ionomer behavior. Presented results could have significant implications about the disparate behavior of ionomer thin-film in anode and cathode catalyst layers.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Fuel Cell Technologies Program (EE-3F); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 1440958
• Journal Information: Electrochemistry Communications, Journal Name: Electrochemistry Communications Journal Issue: C Vol. 87; ISSN 1388-2481
• Publisher: ElsevierCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English