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

Abstract

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).

A Comprehensive Review of Nanomaterials Developed Using Electrophoresis Process for High-Efficiency Energy Conversion and Storage Systems

“…Electrocatalysts of these metals formed by EPD on various materials and substrates have shown higher activity than commercially available metal/carbon catalysts or electrodes prepared by conventional processes, such as screen printing and decal process in fuel oxidation reactions. Typically, Pt/carbon catalysts were deposited electrophoretically on a carbon electrode or Nafion membrane for the oxidation reactions of methanol and hydrogen [308][309][310][311][312][313][314][315][316]. The performance of the electrocatalyst depends on the composition of the suspension and the conditions of the EPD process.…”

“…In more recent studies, Felix et al deposited an electrocatalyst on carbon paper by EPD. They examined the catalyst suspension and the conditions for the EPD process [314]. The optimal suspension conditions were obtained when the catalyst particles were deposited in a suspension with a Nafion solution, a pH of 8-10 and an applied voltage was 100 V. The resulting MEA prepared by EPD showed superior performance with a peak power increase of approximately 73% at similar platinum (Pt) loadings as well as lower charge transfer resistance for the MEA compared to the MEA fabricated by conventional hot-press process.…”

Depositing Catalyst Layers in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells: A Review

“…Also in 2013, Felix et al further optimized the electrophoresis process by investigating Nafion content, pH level of the solution, and field strength. Single-cell testing demonstrated poor performance, but this was attributed to Nafion not being a suitable ionomer for high temperature PEMFCs [92]. Figures 5 and 6 show the schematic of the electrophoresis deposition process for the MEA and an illustration of the triple phase boundary from this technique, respectively.…”

“…6 Schematic illustration of triple phase boundary [86] Fig. 7 Schematic of electrospray deposition of Pt/C suspensions (top) and diagram of the electrospray process from needle to substrate space (bottom) [92] Fig. 8 Schematic of electrospinning process that produces polymer nanofibers [98] performing better than a membrane that was screen printed without gasket material [26].…”

A Review on Sulfonated Polymer Composite/Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Membranes to Address Methanol Barrier Issue for Methanol Fuel Cells

“…The major advantages of fuel cells are that (i) no generation is harmful (SO x , NO x , CO x , and CO); (ii) higher efficiency; and (iii) reduced sound pollution. Nevertheless, drawbacks include storage, processing for fuel cells in the automobile, transportation, and portable applications [6,7]. Therefore, hydrogen-based fuel systems require new technology, a new infrastructure for fuel storage, and delivery and handling safety, respectively.…”