Improving PEMFC performance using low equivalent weight PFSA ionomers and Pt-Co/C catalyst in the cathode

    Authors

    H. Xu; H. R. Kunz; L. J. Bonville;J. M. Fenton

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Electrochem. Soc.

    Keywords

    OXYGEN REDUCTION; FUEL-CELLS; ELECTROCHEMICAL IMPEDANCE; ALLOYS; LAYER; Electrochemistry; Materials Science, Coatings & Films

    Abstract

    The effects of lower equivalent weight (EW) perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) ionomers and Pt-Co/C catalyst on the cathode performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) were investigated at two atmospheric pressure operating conditions: low temperature/high relative humidity (RH), 80 degrees C/100% RH, and high temperature/low RH, 120 degrees C/35% RH. Cell voltage at a current density of 400 mA/cm(2) was used for the performance comparison. The optimized content in the electrode changed with the ionomer EW, from 32% for 1100 EW Nafion, 28% for 920 EW Nafion to 25% for a developmental PFSA 800 EW ionomer. Compared to 1100 EW Nafion, 800 EW ionomer significantly improved the cell performance by 39 mV at 120 degrees C/35% RH; however, at 80 degrees C/100% RH, its effect was not apparent. The introduction of Pt-Co/C catalyst into the cathode increased the cell performance by 43 mV at 80 degrees C/100% RH, which was much higher than a performance improvement at 120 degrees C/35% RH. Compared to electrodes made of Pt/C and Nafion 1100 EW, the combination of 800 EW Ionomer and Pt-Co/C catalyst resulted in a 55 mV cell voltage increase at 80 degrees C/100% RH and a 48 mV cell voltage increase at 120 degrees C/35% RH. (c) 2006 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.

    Journal Title

    Journal of the Electrochemical Society

    Volume

    154

    Issue/Number

    2

    Publication Date

    1-1-2007

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    B271

    Last Page

    B278

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000243380200037

    ISSN

    0013-4651

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