Engineering the catalyst layers towards enhanced local oxygen transport of Low-Pt proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Materials, designs, and methods

Designing proton exchange membrane fuel cells with high specific power density

“…To further reduce the cost as well as improve the performance and lifetime of PEMFCs, detailed studies on oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts have been conducted. 40 In the early stages of developing PEMFCs, the precious metal Pt was commonly used as a catalyst. [41][42][43] However, due to their high cost and low catalyst utilization, supported Pt nanoparticle catalysts were designed.…”

Optimized mass transfer in a Pt-based cathode catalyst layer for PEM fuel cells

“…R NP originates from Knudsen diffusion ( R Kn ) or diffusion through liquid water or ionomer ( R local ). 24,43 Thus, R total can be expressed as: R total = R P + R Kn + R local .…”

“…18 (1) O 2 interfacial resistance on the surface of the ionomer/gas, ( R I/gas ); (2) O 2 diffusion resistance in the ionomer ( R I ); and (3) O 2 interfacial resistance on the Pt surface, ( R I/Pt ). 30,43,46 Thus, R local can be expressed as: R local = R I/gas + R I + R I/Pt .…”

Structural and Transport Properties of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Modified Ionomers in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

“…The current mainstream approach to cost reduction is decreases in Pt loading. Nevertheless, insufficient Pt leads to a severe concentration polarization at high current densities, where the high local transport resistance in the cathode catalyst layer occupies more than 50% of the total loss [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. In the cathode catalyst layer of PEMFCs, the three-phase interface formed by the compact contact of electrolytes, catalyst particles, and gas is the core place where the electrochemical reaction takes place [ 6 ].…”