Shelf-life of ball-milled catalyst inks for the fabrication of fuel cell electrodes

Baez-Cotto, Carlos M.; Foster, Jayson; Godoy, Andres O.; Van Cleve, Tim; Young, Erica; Pylypenko, Svitlana; Jankovic, Jasna; Ulsh, Michael; Mauger, Scott

doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.10.273

Title: Shelf-life of ball-milled catalyst inks for the fabrication of fuel cell electrodes

Journal Article · 01 November 2024 · International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.10.273 · OSTI ID:2477622

^[1]; Foster, Jayson ^[2]; Godoy, Andres O. ^[3];

^[1]; Young, Erica ^[1]; Pylypenko, Svitlana ^[3]; Jankovic, Jasna ^[2];

^[1];

^[1]

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States)
Univ. of Connecticut, Storrs, CT (United States)

A major factor driving fuel cell costs is the quantity of precious metal required. Therefore, it is important to understand a timeframe where inks can be reused. Here, in this work, we explore differences between a freshly prepared catalyst ink and one that has been stored for over a year – comparing ink properties, cathode catalyst layer microstructure, and their respective fuel cell performance. Ink studies revealed smaller agglomerate sizes and a decrease in shear viscosity for the aged ink. Longer storage time also results in fewer cracks and a more uniform ionomer distribution, as evidenced by microscopy characterization of rod-coated electrodes. Lastly, polarization curves show improved performance at higher current densities for the electrode prepared from the aged ink. We rationalize such effect in terms of enhanced ionomer adsorption onto the catalyst over time.

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Research Organization:: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Sustainable Transportation. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 2477622

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA--5K00-91850; MainId:93628; UUID:438cac66-7a6d-42cb-a642-f7a987b085c3; MainAdminId:74264

Journal Information:: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Journal Name: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy Vol. 93; ISSN 0360-3199

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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08 HYDROGEN
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
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Title: Shelf-life of ball-milled catalyst inks for the fabrication of fuel cell electrodes

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