Characterization of electrodes and performance tests on MEAs with varying platinum content and under various operational conditions

Abstract

The characterization of electrodes and performance tests for membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) with varying Pt content have been carried out. The electrodes were made using a spraying method. The physical properties of the electrodes (i.e., surface structure, content and distribution of catalysts) were characterized using scanning electron microscope–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX), and MEA performance tests were performed through a fuel cell test station with varying catalyst content, fuel cell temperature and with applied back pressure. The physical characterization of the electrode indicated that the Pt catalyst was uniformly dispersed on both the surface and cross section of the catalyst layer (CL), with a Pt loading between 7.5 and 21.5 wt%. The current–voltage performances generally increased with Pt content. Similarly, the use of back pressure and increasing the fuel cell operation temperature improved MEA performance.