Highly developed nanostructuring of polymer-electrolyte membrane supported catalysts for hydrogen fuel cell application

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 439; p. 227084
• Main Authors: Yakovlev, Y.V., Nováková, J., Kúš, P., Dinhová, T.N., Matolínová, I., Matolín, V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2019
• Subjects: Cerium oxide; Magnetron sputtering; Nanostructured catalyst layer; PEM fuel cell; Platinum catalyst; Nanostructured catalyst layer; Magnetron sputtering; Platinum catalyst; Cerium oxide; PEM fuel cell
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2019.227084

Treatment of polymer-electrolyte membrane with magnetron sputtering of CeO2 in Ar + O2 atmosphere creates a highly developed surface with an array of nanopillars and vertical pores. These superstructures can be used as a support for the catalyst layer homogeneously covering the surface by nanoclusters. Treated membranes with nanostructured catalyst layer exhibit high level of platinum utilization in hydrogen powered fuel cells reaching the power density of 15 kW g−1Pt. Moreover, due to the resistance to corrosion such systems have superior durability compared to the traditional carbon-supported catalysts. [Display omitted] •Magnetron sputtering of CeO2 on membrane forms ordered ionomer nanopillars.•Deposition of ultra-low platinum amount finishes ordered catalyst layer.•High level of platinum utilization is achieved for ordered catalyst layer.•Ionomer based columnar nanostructures have outstanding corrosion resistivity.