Catalyst layer optimization by surface tension control during ink formulation of membrane electrode assemblies in proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Bonifácio, Rafael Nogueira; Paschoal, José Octavio Armani; Linardi, Marcelo; Cuenca, Ricardo

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2011.01.010

Cited by 53 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…http://repository.uwc.ac.za 7 The particle size for Pt/C particles coated with Nafion ® ionomer is stable over the whole pH range studied clearly demonstrating the steric stabilisation effect of the Nafion ® ionomer. Even at higher Pt/C particle concentration no significant changes in particle size are observed.…”

Section: Catalyst Ink Characterisationmentioning

confidence: 86%

“…Catalyst deposition methods include spraying, hand brushing, direct printing, screen printing, decal transfer, electrodeposition, DC magnetic sputtering, EPD and even combinations of these methods [6]. An ideal MEA fabrication method should be reproducible, fast and up scaling should be possible [7]. EPD is a highly efficient process for the production of films and coatings; it is easy to implement, low cost, fast and applicable to a wide variety of materials [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Optimisation of electrophoretic deposition parameters for gas diffusion electrodes in high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Jao

Pasupathi

Pollet

2013

Journal of Power Sources

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Felix, C. et al. (2013). Optimisation of electrophoretic deposition parameters for gas diffusion electrodes in high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. AbstractElectrophoretic deposition (EPD) method was used to fabricate gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) for high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (HT PEMFC). Parameters related to the catalyst suspension and the EPD process were studied. Optimum suspension conditions are obtained when the catalyst particles are coated with Nafion ® ionomer and the pH is adjusted to an alkaline range of about 8 e10. These suspensions yield good stability with sufficient conductivity to form highly porous catalyst layers on top of the gas diffusion layers (GDLs). GDEs were fabricated by applying various electric field strengths of which 100 V cm -1 yields the best membrane electrode assembly (MEA) performance. Compared to an MEA fabricated by the traditional hand sprayed (HS) method, the EPD MEA shows superior performance with a peak power increase of about 73% at similar platinum (Pt) loadings. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) analysis shows lower charge transfer resistance for the MEA fabricated via the EPD method compared to the HS MEA. The EPD GDE exhibits a greater total pore area (22.46 m 2 g -1 ) compared to the HS GDE (13.43 m 2 g -1 ) as well as better dispersion of the Pt particles within the catalyst layer (CL).

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Section: Catalyst Ink Characterisationmentioning

confidence: 86%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimisation of electrophoretic deposition parameters for gas diffusion electrodes in high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Jao

Pasupathi

Pollet

2013

Journal of Power Sources

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“…The use of carbon black for methanol fuel cells [127] and for precious metal-free catalysts [128] has also been reported. Numerous studies have demonstrated its efficacy as a printable nanostructured carbon material for both inkjet [125,126,[129][130][131][132][133] and screen [134] printing of functional devices. In most of these cases, a mixture of water and an alcohol are used as a solvent.…”

Section: Other Carbon Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, ethylene glycol or glycerol are sometimes used to adjust the viscosity and to act as a humectants, to control drying [134].…”

Section: Supercapacitorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A single-step screen printing process may be used to coat the PEM or GDL with catalyst, though an optimal surface tension is needed. One group showed the effects of adjusting the ink surface tension when printing onto the GDL [134]. Their results point to improved adhesion of the CL and improved power density when using ink with a lower surface tension than the GDL substrate, compared to ink with surface tension higher than the substrate.…”

Section: Supercapacitorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Printing nanostructured carbon for energy storage and conversion applications

Lawes

Riese

Sun

et al. 2015

Carbon

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The effect of ink dilution and evaporation on the microstructures of catalyst layers in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Zhao

Liu

2019

Int J Energy Res

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SUMMARY The microstructures of catalyst layers (CLs) in proton exchange membrane fuel cells determine cell performance and durability. Delicate ink preparation processes and coating/drying processes affect the resulting microstructures including active sites, pore networks, ionomer networks and Pt/C networks. This paper reports our recent experimental observations of the effect of ink dilution and evaporation condition on the microstructures. The microstructures of dried ink droplets are presented and compared among different dilution ratios and different evaporation conditions in terms of the spatial distributions of Pt/C particles, ionomers, and pores. The method through which the microstructures are visualized is also introduced in this paper. It is observed that ink dilution ratio and evaporation condition can significantly alter resulting microstructure patterns through affecting viscosity and particle flow patterns during the evaporation. More concentrated solution makes catalyst inks less spread out on a substrate surface, leading to larger droplet height and larger contact angle. Ambient relative humidity has a significant impact on catalyst deposition patterns. Under low relative humidity condition, catalyst particles are concentrated both near the central and the periphery of the droplet; while under high relative humidity, the central part is uniform, and the particles move towards the edge of the deposition, forming a stripe‐like structure. This indicates that ink dilution and evaporation is key to the CL microstructure formation and must be properly controlled in order to obtain the quality and consistency of the CLs in fabrication.

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Catalyst layer optimization by surface tension control during ink formulation of membrane electrode assemblies in proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Cited by 53 publications

References 12 publications

Optimisation of electrophoretic deposition parameters for gas diffusion electrodes in high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Optimisation of electrophoretic deposition parameters for gas diffusion electrodes in high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Printing nanostructured carbon for energy storage and conversion applications

The effect of ink dilution and evaporation on the microstructures of catalyst layers in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

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