Enhancing the Mechanical Robustness of Aerosol-Based Brittle Pt/C Electrodes Through Thermal Annealing
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Nanoporous Pt/C electrodes fabricated via aerosol coating offer excellent reactant delivery and electrochemical activity owing to their high porosity. However, the practical application prospects of such electrodes are limited by their poor mechanical properties. Herein, we quantitatively analyze the effects of thermal annealing (at 110, 150, 190, and 230 °C) on the mechanical stability and electrical properties of aerosol-based Pt/C electrodes. Post-annealing at an optimal temperature of 190 °C improved the tensile strength by 65.3%, increased their elongation from 0.82% to 1.78%, and decreased the electrical resistance while maintaining the secondary pore structure. Analyses of the electrode’s surface roughness, pore structure, and contact angle indicate that thermal reconstruction of the ionomer is crucial for stabilizing the electrode structure and controlling its surface properties. Finite element simulations using experimentally measured single-electrode properties enabled accurate prediction of the mechanical behavior of the membrane electrode assembly. These results provide design guidelines for balancing the process efficiency with the mechanical stability of aerosol-based Pt/C electrodes and can be used to improve their application prospects in aerosol-based fuel cell catalyst layers.
Source: Coatings
Authors: Nathan Heo, Won-Yong Jeong, Ji Hun Kim, Jae-Bum Pyo
Institutions: Kongju National University, Agency for Defense Development
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,137
Award: G1616291411
OpenAlex ID: W4416298711