Fuel cell performance curve after MEA optimization Structural Optimization of Low Pt Membrane Electrode Assembly

Authors

Yan RAO, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Progressing, Hubei Fuel Cell Key Laboratory, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China;
Shang LI, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Progressing, Hubei Fuel Cell Key Laboratory, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China;Follow
Fen ZHOU, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Progressing, Hubei Fuel Cell Key Laboratory, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China;
Tian TIAN, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Progressing, Hubei Fuel Cell Key Laboratory, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China;
Qing ZHONG, Wuhan WUT New Energy Co.,Ltd., Wuhan, China, 430223;
Zhao-hui WAN, Wuhan WUT New Energy Co.,Ltd., Wuhan, China, 430223;
Jin-ting TAN, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Progressing, Hubei Fuel Cell Key Laboratory, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China;
Mu PAN, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Progressing, Hubei Fuel Cell Key Laboratory, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China;

Corresponding Author

Shang LI(lishang@whut.edu.cn);
Mu PAN(panmu@whut.edu.cn)

Abstract

Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) are the key component of proton exchange membrane fuel cell. For a long time, much attention has been paid to develop MEA technology. At present, the research, development and industrialization of fuel cell has entered a new era. More strict requirements for MEA, especially for the reduction of Pt loading with a challenging target of 0.125 mg·W^-1 have to be met. In this paper, the performance losses under low Pt loading are analyzed in terms of activation polarization, ohm polarization and mass-transfer polarization. It is proposed that research should be focused on the activity of the catalyst under the fuel cell operating voltage (0.6 V ~ 0.8 V)，and the reasonability of using charge-transfer resistance as the indicator of catalyst activity is discussed. In terms of optimization potential capacity, mass transfer polarization > activation polarization > ohm polarization. Residual performance loss associated with low cathode Pt loading can be mitigated by optimizing the catalytic layer structure, where oxygen flux through the ionomer film to the Pt surface should be minimized with high proton conduction.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

membrane electrode assemblies, Pt loading, polarization over-potential, charge-transfer resistance, catalytic layer structure

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.13208/j.electrochem.180843

Publication Date

2018-12-28

Online Available Date

2018-10-12

Revised Date

2018-09-27

Received Date

2018-09-05

Recommended Citation

Yan RAO, Shang LI, Fen ZHOU, Tian TIAN, Qing ZHONG, Zhao-hui WAN, Jin-ting TAN, Mu PAN. Fuel cell performance curve after MEA optimization Structural Optimization of Low Pt Membrane Electrode Assembly[J]. Journal of Electrochemistry, 2018 , 24(6): 677-686.
DOI: 10.13208/j.electrochem.180843
Available at: https://jelectrochem.xmu.edu.cn/journal/vol24/iss6/9