Su H., Pasupathi S., Bladergroen B.J., Linkov V., Pollet B.G.
HySA Systems Competence Centre, South African Institute for Advanced Materials Chemistry, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South Africa
Su, H., HySA Systems Competence Centre, South African Institute for Advanced Materials Chemistry, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South Africa; Pasupathi, S., HySA Systems Competence Centre, South African Institute for Advanced Materials Chemistry, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South Africa; Bladergroen, B.J., HySA Systems Competence Centre, South African Institute for Advanced Materials Chemistry, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South Africa; Linkov, V., HySA Systems Competence Centre, South African Institute for Advanced Materials Chemistry, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South Africa; Pollet, B.G., HySA Systems Competence Centre, South African Institute for Advanced Materials Chemistry, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, Cape Town, South Africa
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. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Automatic catalyst spraying under; Gas diffusion electrodes; Membrane electrode assemblies; Membrane fuel cells; Phosphoric acid-doped; Polybenzimidazole; Proton exchange; Electrochemistry impedance spectroscopy; Gas diffusion electrodes; High temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells; Maximum power density; Membrane electrode assemblies; Optimum performance; Polybenzimidazole; Short-term durabilities; Catalysts; Cyclic voltammetry; Diffusion in gases; Durability; Irradiation; Loading; Phosphoric acid; Scanning electron microscopy; Catalysts; Cyclic voltammetry; Diffusion; Diffusion in gases; Durability; Electrochemical electrodes; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Electrochemistry; Electrodes; Fuel cells; Irradiation; Membranes; Phosphoric acid; Phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC); Pore size; Protons; Scanning electron microscopy; Size distribution; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC); Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC)