Improved polarization of mesoporous electrodes of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell using N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone
By Jung, Chi-Young & Yi, Sung-Chul
Published in Electrochimica Acta
2013
Abstract
Both the catalytic and ohmic polarization of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell must be improved to achieve commercialization. Herein, high-performance membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) were prepared using an amide-type chemical, i.e., N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) as a solvent for the catalyst ink. Influence of different solvent on the catalyst-layer (CL) surface microstructure was clarified to achieve high fuel-cell performance. The electrochemical performance of the MEAs made from different ink formulation was examined in detail using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. As a result, the NMP–glycerol ink with a 10 wt.% glycerol was used to form a dense and well-connected Pt/C–Nafion agglomerated CL, followed by enhanced catalytic and ohmic polarizations relative to the glycerol and NMP CLs.