Enhanced performance of polybenzimidazole-based high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell with gas diffusion electrodes prepared by automatic catalyst spraying under irradiation technique

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 242; pp. 510 - 519
• Main Authors: Su, Huaneng, Pasupathi, Sivakumar, Bladergroen, Bernard Jan, Linkov, Vladimir, Pollet, Bruno G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.11.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Automatic catalyst spraying under irradiation; Catalysts; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Electrodes; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Gas diffusion; Gas diffusion electrode; High temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell; Irradiation; Membrane electrode assembly; Membranes; Phosphoric acid-doped; Polybenzimidazole; Polybenzimidazoles; Scanning electron microscopy; High temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell; Gas diffusion electrode; Phosphoric acid-doped; Polybenzimidazole; Membrane electrode assembly; Automatic catalyst spraying under irradiation; Performance evaluation; Phosphoric acid; Automation; Spraying; Temperature effect; Doped materials; Gas electrode; High temperature; Operating conditions; Inorganic acids; Preparation; Irradiation; Performance; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells; Catalyst
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2013.05.128

Gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) prepared by a novel automatic catalyst spraying under irradiation (ACSUI) technique are investigated for improving the performance of phosphoric acid (PA)-doped polybenzimidazole (PBI) high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The physical properties of the GDEs are characterized by pore size distribution and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochemical properties of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with the GDEs are evaluated and analyzed by polarization curve, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemistry impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Effects of PTFE binder content, PA impregnation and heat treatment on the GDEs are investigated to determine the optimum performance of the single cell. At ambient pressure and 160 °C, the maximum power density can reach 0.61 W cm−2, and the current density at 0.6 V is up to 0.38 A cm−2, with H2/air and a platinum loading of 0.5 mg cm−2 on both electrodes. The MEA with the GDEs shows good stability for fuel cell operating in a short term durability test. •Superior CL structure was achieved in the GDE prepared by a novel ACSUI method.•The single cell with the GDEs showed high performance with air as oxidant.•The electrode parameters were optimized to determine the optimum performance.•The MEA with the GDEs showed good durability for high temperature fuel cell operating.