Work

Manufacturing of carbon-supported platinum cathodes for proton exchange membrane fuel cell using the doctor blade process: Microstructure and performance

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Catalyst layers (CL, the anode and cathode) properties do influence the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). CLs are prepared by depositing an ink made from a catalyst (carbon-supported Pt-based nanoparticles, NPs) and an ionomer in appropriate solvents on a substrate, followed by post-treatment (solvent evaporation, calendaring, hot-pressing). The literature rarely provides details and characterizations about CLs fabrication. This contribution investigates a way to prepare Pt/VC (Pt NPs supported on Vulcan XC72 carbon-black) and Pt/GC (Pt NPs supported on graphitized-carbon-black) PEMFC CLs. The ink formulation, mixing and deposition methods are evaluated and the areal homogeneity/texture of the formed CLs thoroughly characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-Ray fluorescence. Light-ball-milling mixing enables to prepare homogeneous and agglomerate-free inks without degrading the Pt/C catalysts. The optimal ionomer-to-carbon ratio differs for Pt/GC and Pt/VC CLs; it not only depends on the BET surface area of the carbon substrate and its outer apparent surface (apparent carbon particles diameter), but should also be adapted to physicochemical surface properties of the Pt/C sample. Optimized I/C = 1–1.2 enables to improve the performance of Pt/GC cathodes by ca . 300 % versus I/C = 0.5 (at 80 °C, 80%RH), owing to hugely-depreciated proton-transport-resistance in the CL. • Optimized Pt/GC (graphitized-carbon-black) PEMFC catalysts layers are prepared. • The Pt/GC ink formulation, mixing and deposition methods are tuned. • The CL texture (SEM) & homogeneity (XRF) is linked to the process parameters. • I/C = 1 CL outperform I/C = 0.5 by >300 %, owing to decreased H + resistance (80%RH). • Optimal I/C ratio depends on Pt/C physicochemical surface properties.

Source: Journal of Power Sources

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2024.235851

Authors: Clémence Lafforgue, Pierre Toudret, Fabrice Micoud, Marie Heitzmann, Jean-François Blachot, Marian Chatenet

Institutions: Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives, Laboratoire d’Innovation pour les Technologies des Énergies Nouvelles et les nanomatériaux

Language: English

Topic: Fuel Cells and Related Materials

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,110