Electric field-treated MEAs for improved fuel cell performance

A novel cathode structure with double catalyst layers and low Pt loading for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

“…9, the IeV curves can be divided into two groups: the first corresponds to cells with lower Pt loading (0. 20 ). Apparently, the overall performances in the first group are higher than that in the second group, especially when current density is higher than 0.8 A cm…”

A simulation study of field-induced proton-conduction pathways in dry ionomers

“…Our work was partly inspired by the recent experimental advances in preparing heterogeneous ion-exchange membranes reported by Lin et al [10] and Oren et al [11] and by the improved electrodes for fuel cells reported by Middleman [12] and Wang et al [13]. In [11] it was found that the application of an alternating electric field during curing of the polymeric matrix resulted in the agglomeration of the ionic groups in long chains extending across the membrane.…”

“…As a result, the percolation threshold for ion conduction was reduced to about 25% of its value for membranes with randomly distributed particles. In [12,13] it was shown that the poling of Nafion at the membrane-electrode interface above T g can lead to the alignment of carbon-black particles perpendicular to the membrane surface.…”

Preparing a catalyst layer in magnetic field to improve the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

“…Although a few studies have been conducted on the preparation of aligned or oriented structures in various conductive membranes with an electric field as the driving force [13][14][15][16][17], Middelman [18] was the first to report on the fabrication of oriented MEA electrodes for PEMFCs by using an electric field. The application of strong magnetic fields on materials induces strong magnetic-field effects.…”