The effect of electrode parameters on performance of a phosphoric acid-doped PBI membrane fuel cell

Abstract

A study of the effect of electrode parameters in a phosphoric acid-doped polybenzimidazole (PBI) membrane fuel cell is reported. The influence of phosphoric acid and PBI content are described. High levels of PBI in the catalyst layer did not enhance electrode layer performance for both hydrogen oxidation or oxygen reduction. High levels of doping with phosphoric acid in the anode catalyst layer were beneficial to fuel cell performance. Anode polarisation data confirmed that PBI fuel cells could operate at 175 °C with carbon monoxide contents in the feed gas of 10% in volume. There was an optimum amount of acid doping that gave good performance for oxygen reduction in the cathode layer. The effect of a perfluorinated surfactant improved the oxygen reduction behaviour in the catalyst layer. The carbon in catalyst support and it's interaction with the electrolyte have a large influence on cell performance.