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Functionally graded cathode catalyst layers for polymer electrolyte fuel cells. II, Experimental study of the effect of nafion distribution

From National Research Council Canada

DOIResolve DOI: https://doi.org/10.1149/1.1904990
AuthorSearch for: 1; Search for: 1; Search for: 1; Search for: 1; Search for: 1; Search for: 1; Search for: 1; Search for: 1; Search for: 1; Search for: 1
Name affiliation
  1. National Research Council of Canada. NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation
FormatText, Article
Subjectpolymers; electrochemical electrodes; proton exchange membrane fuel cell; functionally graded materials; catalysts; diffusion; voltammetry (chemical analysis); electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; ionic conductivity; porosity; polymer structure; chemical exchanges
Abstract
Gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) containing a graded distribution of Nafion were prepared and characterized, and their performance as fuel cell cathodes compared to GDEs possessing a uniform distribution of Nafion. Cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and porosimetry are used to characterize the variations in electrochemical properties, ionic conductivity, and microstructures. The cathodic performance was improved over uniform electrodes at intermediate and high levels of polarization when the Nafion content in the GDE was higher toward the catalyst layer/membrane interface and lower toward the catalyst layer/carbon paper interface since this maximizes proton transport in the GDE in the region of greatest ion flux and maximizes porosity in the region of greatest gaseous flux, respectively. Fuel cell performance is much poorer when the gradient of Nafion content is reversed, i.e., highest at the catalyst layer/carbon paper interface since this distribution disfavors proton and gas transport in the regions where they need to be maximized.
Publication date
PublisherElectrochemical Society
In
  • Journal of The Electrochemical Society 152, no. 6: A1171–A1179.
LanguageEnglish
Peer reviewedYes
NPARC number23002001
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Record identifier84db6b56-1bd2-40cb-91c5-b3cbcc01db94
Record created2017-07-14
Record modified2020-04-07
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