Electrocatalyst Loading Research Articles

RRDE experiments on noble-metal and noble-metal-free catalysts: Impact of loading on the activity and selectivity of oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline solution

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is at the core of various applications, such as fuel cells, metal-air batteries and H2O2 electro-generation. Depending on the targeted application, catalysts that follow a “direct four-electron (4e−)” pathway or “two-electron (2e−)” pathway are envisaged. We have systematically investigated the impact of the electrocatalyst loading on the rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE), on their activity and selectivity towards ORR in alkaline medium (0.1M and 1M KOH). Four representative catalysts, including a noble metal catalyst (commercial 20wt% Pt/C, ETEK), metal-free catalysts (Printex carbon black and graphene), and non-noble metal catalyst (Fe/N/C), were selected because they exhibit different behaviours for ORR following a “direct four-electron (4e−)” pathway, “two-electron (2e−)” pathway, or a “series 2e−+2e−” pathway. The results confirmed that the catalyst loading influences the activity and the selectivity of the catalysts, with lower loadings favoring the H2O2 electrogeneration, and researchers should pay attention to it. Moreover, in order to make possible comparison between results coming from different research groups, we recommend reasonable loading ranges for each type of catalyst.

Electrooxidation study of NaBH4 in a membraneless microfluidic fuel cell with air breathing cathode for portable power application

A microfluidic fuel cell (MFC) is constructed at laboratory for NaBH4 electrooxidation using varying operating conditions. The temperatures of anode and cathode were varied from 40 °C to 70 °C, and the pressure was maintained at 1 bar. The anode and cathode electrocatalyst used was Pt (40 wt. %)/High Surface Area Carbon (CHSA) with loading in the range of 0.5 mg/cm2 to 2 mg/cm2. The oxidant at cathode was atmospheric oxygen (21 mol % O2). The commercial gas diffusion layer (GDL) was used as substrate at anode and air breathing cathode side. The cell voltage and current density were measured for different fuel (NaBH4) concentration, electrolyte (KOH) concentration, temperature and electrocatalyst loading at anode and cathode, respectively. The maximum open circuit voltage (OCV) of 1.079 V and power density of 24.09 mW/cm2 at a current density of 54.97 mA/cm2 were obtained for anode (Pt/CHSA) and cathode (Pt/CHSA) loading of 1 mg/cm2 using 0.1 M NaBH4 as fuel mixed with 1 M KOH as electrolyte at a temperature of 70 °C. Whereas the maximum power density of 8.47 mW/cm2 at a current density of 34.04 mA/cm2 was obtained at the temperature of 40 °C. Although similar cell conditions were used, the cell performance in terms of power density is significantly enhanced (about 65%) due to increase in temperature from 40 °C to 70 °C. These results were validated using cyclic voltammetry at single electrodes under similar conditions to those of the single microfluidic fuel cell.

Electrooxidation study of methanol using H2O2 and air as mixed oxidant at cathode in air breathing microfluidic fuel cell

The electrooxidation study of methanol was performed at room temperature of 34 °C in a membraneless air breathing microfluidic fuel cell using laboratory made carbon cloth/gas diffusion layer (GDL). The anode and cathode electrocatalysts were PtRu (30%:15% by wt.)/High Surface Area Carbon (CHSA) (Alfa Aesar, USA) and Pt (40% by wt.)/CHSA (Alfa Aesar, USA) respectively. The electrocatalyst loading at anode and cathode were similar, in the order of 1 mg/cm2. The oxidants at cathode were atmospheric oxygen or H2O2 combined with atmospheric oxygen (air). The cell voltage and current density were measured for different concentration of fuel (methanol), oxidant (H2O2) and electrolyte (KOH), respectively. The maximum open circuit voltage (OCV) of 0.47 V and power density of 0.97 mW/cm2 at a current density of 6.9 mA/cm2were obtained for the fuel of 0.5 M methanol mixed with 1 M KOH and atmospheric fresh air as oxidant with 1 M KOH at cathode. Whereas, the maximum OCV of 0.68 V and power density of 3.8 mW/cm2 at a current density of 18.75 mA/cm2 were for methanol as fuel of 1 M mixed with 1 M KOH as electrolyte and 2 M H2O2 as oxidant at cathode mixed with 1 M KOH as electrolyte in the presence of continuous diffusion of atmospheric fresh air.

High Temperature Proton Conduction in Nanocellulose Membranes: Paper Fuel Cells

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are an efficient and clean alternative power source, but high cost impedes widespread commercialization. The fuel cell membrane, e.g., Nafion, contributes significantly to this cost, and therefore, novel alternatives are required. Temperature is also an important factor; high temperature operation leads to faster reaction kinetics, lower electrocatalyst loading, and improved water management, thereby further reducing cost. However, higher temperature puts greater demands on the membrane. Conductivity is related strongly to humidification, and therefore, this generally decreases above 100 °C. Nanocellulose membranes for fuel cells in which the proton conductivity increases up to 120 °C are reported here for the first time. The hydrogen barrier properties are far superior to conventional ionomer membranes. Fuel cells with nanocellulose membranes are successfully operated at 80 °C. Additionally, these membranes are environmentally friendly and biodegradable.

Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) on Platinum Coated Nafion Membrane: Effects of Synthesis Conditions

The present study describes the catalytic activity of the platinum coated Nafion membranes towards oxygen reduction reaction in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. In contrast to the conventional three layered structures of the gas diffusion electrode, as-made gas diffusion electrodes are two layered in which the platinum electrocatalyst are deposited directly onto the Nafion membrane. Spin-coating method and impregnation-reduction approaches were used to synthesize Pt-coated Nafion membranes. Both methods showed comparable results. The performance data revealed that the catalytic activity of the Nafion-Pt-GDL electrode was strongly affected by the Nafion treatment and platinum crystal structures. The results suggest that spin-coated method is a very successful technique for producing low loading of platinum electrocatalyst. Not only platinum catalyst, but also a wide arrange of catalyst-coated Nafion membranes such as palladium/Nafion can be prepared by this approach.

Highly Stable PEMFC Electrodes Based on Electrospun Antimony‐Doped SnO2

AbstractHigh durability and activity for the oxygen reduction reaction were demonstrated for oxide‐supported platinum catalysts. The supports were antimony‐doped SnO2 (ATO) fibres‐in‐tubes obtained by electrospinning and subsequent calcination. The doping with antimony instead of the already‐reported niobium, allowed the preparation of tin oxide with electrical conductivity that was similar to carbon, which also had an increased electrocatalyst loading. Platinum nanoparticles supported on electrospun ATO demonstrated higher electrochemical stability and comparable mass activity to commercial Pt/C during ex situ potential cycling. The in situ fuel cell tests also revealed improved corrosion resistance with no noticeable degradation of the oxide‐based membrane electrode assembly (MEA), but a slightly lower performance compared to the MEA with carbon‐supported catalysts.

Anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer with an ultra-low loading of Pt-decorated Ni electrocatalyst

The particle-type electrodes with ultra-low electrocatalyst loading (<10μgcm−2) were developed as cathodes in the anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer (AEMWE). The Pt-decorated Ni electrocatalysts were prepared on the surface of carbon paper by Ni electrodeposition and subsequent displacement of Ni by Pt; the composition and morphology were controlled by varying HCl concentration. In half cell test, the increase of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity by Pt decoration was confirmed for Pt-Ni/CP-2 that has Pt ratio of 39.4% (1.85μgPtcm−2). A membrane electrode assembly employing Pt-Ni/CP-2 as the HER electrode (total catalyst loading: 13.2μgcm−2) exhibited a current density of 250mAcm−2 at 1.9Vcell (50°C), which is comparable to the previous reports with much larger loading of 3.1∼80mgcm−2.

Electrochemical Characterization of Sb-Doped SnO2 as Electrocatalyst Support for Electrochemical Energy Conversion Systems

Electrochemical energy conversion systems, mainly Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cells (URFC) and Solid Polymer Electrolyzer (SPE), are considered to have a promising future due to the generation of hydrogen in a clean and sustainable way. However, the design of oxygen electrodes is the main limiting factor for an efficient performance. In this matter, most of the studies have been focused in the development of efficient electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction and water electrolysis reactions, and the use of electrocatalysts supports different from conventional carbon-based materials, which is susceptible of corrosion at the URFC and SPE operation conditions. Corrosion resistance supports, with improved surface area and conductivity, would reduce the electrocatalyst loading,the membrane electrode assembly degradation rate, and the global construction cost of the systems. The present work deals with the synthesis and electrochemical characterization of a Sb – doped SnO2 (ATO) for their potential use as electrocatalyst support in the oxygen electrode in electrochemical energy conversion systems. The synthesis of the support was performed by the sol –gel technique with a surface area modification with dodecylamine as surfactant followed by a thermal treatment. Electrochemical stability was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) with 250, 400 and 500 cycles in a wide range (0 – 2.0 V vs ENH), while the chronoamperometry (CA) was evaluated at high anodic potential (1.8 V vs ENH) in a continuous period of time of 5 h and 8 h. The results revealed that the Sb doped SnO2 support, present good electrical properties and electrochemical stability at a higher potential of 1.8 V vs. NHE in the presence of O2, as compared to other carbon-based and commercial sub-stoichiometric titanium oxide (Ebonex ®) supports.

Effectiveness of electrochemical degradation of sulfamethazine on a nanocomposite SnO2electrode

A nanocomposite SnO2 electrode was prepared and its activity on electrocatalytic degradation of sulfamethazine was investigated. Compared with the traditionally dip-coated SnO2 electrode and the dip-coated SnO2 on TiO2 nanotube electrode, the nanocomposite SnO2 electrode has better surface configuration, better crystallinity and a higher electrocatalyst loading, and it also shows better electrocatalytic activity on sulfamethazine degradation. The sulfamethazine elimination rate on the nanocomposite SnO2 electrode increases with current density in the range of 10–30 mA cm−2, but decreases when the current density further increases to 50 mA cm−2. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rate increases with current density in the range of 10–50 mA cm−2, whereas the increase of current density results in a decrease of current efficiency. The solution pH has a certain effect on sulfamethazine degradation as an increase of pH from 3.0 to 10.0 can lower both the sulfamethazine elimination rate and the COD removal rate. Ozone generation and hydroxyl radical formation are determined in the electrolytic system. The oxygen evolution potential of the nanocomposite SnO2 electrode decreases with the increase of solution pH, which should be responsible for the better performance of this electrode on sulfamethazine degradation in acidic electrolyte.

Effective improvement of interface modified strontium titanate based solid oxide fuel cell anodes by infiltration with nano-sized palladium and gadolinium-doped cerium oxide

The development of low temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anodes by infiltration of Pd/Gd-doped cerium oxide (CGO) electrocatalysts in Nb-doped SrTiO3 (STN) backbones has been investigated. Modification of the electrode/electrolyte interface by thin layer of spin-coated CGO (400–500 nm) contributed to a significant improvement in performance of the STN backbones and infiltrated electrodes. The improvement is due to the result of CGO enrichment at the interface. The impedance analysis showed that addition of Pd further increased the electrode reaction rate with a factor 10 with respect to the CGO electrocatalysts. Very low electrode polarization resistances of 0.055 Ω cm2 (after excluding the gas diffusion limitation contribution) and 1.2 Ω cm2 at 600 °C and 400 °C, respectively, have been obtained in 3% H2/H2O. A gradual decrease in polarization resistance was achieved with increasing loading of Pd-CGO electrocatalyst. The microstructural analysis of the infiltrated Pd-CGO electrocatalyst on STN revealed a homogenous coating of Pd and CGO nanoparticles.

Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Activity on Pt/C for Nafion-free, Thin, Uniform Films in Rotating Disk Electrode Studies

Commercially available nanoparticle platinum on high surface area carbon black (Pt/HSC) electrocatalysts were characterized in rotating disk electrode (RDE) setups using varying ink formulations and film drying techniques in an attempt to obtain thin, uniform films and reproducible activity. Electrodes prepared from Nafion-free inks that were dried under an isopropyl alcohol (IPA) atmosphere produced uniform, thin films at low electrocatalyst loadings of ~4.5 mg/cm2 Pt. These Nafion-free/IPA-dried electrodes were found to exhibit oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activities higher than conventional Nafion-based/Air-dried electrodes by a factor of ~2.8. The magnitude of mass and specific activities were determined to be im~771 ±56 mA/mgPt and is~812 ±59 mA/cm2 Pt respectively and appear to be the highest values reported for RDE measurements on Pt/HSC in 0.1M HClO4 at 20 mV/s and 25oC. Electrochemical diagnostics including ORR I-V profiles, cyclic voltammograms and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies were conducted to investigate the thin film Pt/HSC electrodes and correlate results to film morphology and electrochemical activity.

Nanocomposite electrodes based on pre-synthesized organically grafted platinum nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes. III: Determination of oxygen reduction reaction selectivity and specific area of porous electrode related to the oxygen reduction reaction ranging from 2 m2 gPt−1 to 310 m2 gPt−1

Our recent paper has reported the determination of diffusion area, ADiffO2, related to oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in porous electrodes structures based on Platinum Organically Grafted Electrocatalyst (Pt-OGE) nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes. It was clearly shown that diminishing the electrocatalyst coverage density at the carbon nanotube surface resulted in a strong increase of ADiffO2, though some of the trends observed as a function of platinum loading were not clearly understood. Previous work considered the ORR selectivity, i.e. n, the average electron number exchanged per O2 molecule as being 4 whatever the Pt loading and the electrode feature. The present paper addresses this point using a recently reported new method for the determination of selectivity that can be implemented directly on porous electrodes, without using rotating disc or ring disc electrodes. Then, the paper considers the determination of specific ADiffO2 (S-ADiffO2) as a function of electrocatalyst loading on both, porous electrode based on Pt-OGE's grafted with Low Molecular Weight Organic (Pt-LMWO) and with High Molecular Weight Organics (Pt-HMWO). For five kinds of porous electrode structures combining carbon nanotubes and involving both kinds of Pt-OGE's, the n corrected trends for S-ADiffO2 expressed in m2gPt−1, are discussed. It is highlighted that for a given porous Pt-OGE/carbon nanotubes electrode structure two feature parameters can be found: a S-ADiffO2 value independent of Pt loading for which the value of n is found to be ≈4, and a critical electrocatalyst loading below which n<4 and S-ADiffO2 deviates from its feature value. These trends are explained in the frame of small sized electrodes arrays at which spherical diffusion regime occurs. As a conclusion, it is finally proposed that S-ADiffO2 could be considered as a feature parameter of interest to characterize the ORR electrocatalysts in porous electrode structures.

Thermal Treatment Effects on Pd&lt;sub&gt;5&lt;/sub&gt;Cu&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;Pt Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in a PEM Fuel Cell

The research is aimed to study the thermal treatment effects in the electrochemical activity of Pd5Cu4Pt electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in acid medium as well as on its performance as cathode electrode in a single Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC). The electrocatalyst is synthesized by chemical reduction of PdCl2, CuCl2 and H2PtCl6 with NaBH4 in THF, and is characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and rotating disc electrode (RDE) are performed for electrochemical characterization in a 0.5 M H2SO4 at 25 ºC. Results of thermal treatment at 200 and 300 ºC in H2 atmosphere show a growth of nanocrystallyte particles and an enhancement of the crystallinity of the electrocatalyst. Shifts towards positive 2 θ XRD values are associated to the incorporation of elements inside the crystalline structure of the sample. Electrochemical results show a decrease in the electrocatalytic activity as the temperature of the thermal treatment increases. The maximum power density, Wmax of 350 mW cm-2 is achieved using Pd5Cu4Pt without thermal treatment with 0.8 mg cm-2 cathode electrocatalyst loading of the PEMFC. This result is attributed to the formation of new inactive-ORR phases on the electrocatalyst with the thermal treatment.

Cyclic Voltammetry of Oxygen Reduction Reaction Using Pt-based Electrocatalysts on a Nafion-bonded Carbon Electrode for Direct Ethanol Fuel Cell

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on Pt-based electrocatalysts in a low-temperature fuel cell like a direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) is a big challenge to the researcher because of slow oxygen reduction kinetics at the cathode. The oxygen reduction reaction was studied in acid medium (0.5 M HClO4 solution) using cyclic voltammetry (CV) with a three-electrode cell assembly (half-cell), an electrochemical device. The electrodes were prepared by dispersing the required quantity of Pt–Ru (40:20% by weight)/C, or Pt-black (HSA) or Pt (40% by weight)/C electrocatalyst, activated carbon and a mixture of Nafion® ionomer (SE-5112, DuPont) and PTFE dispersion. The electrocatalyst loading on each electrode varied from 0.5 to 1.5 mg cm−2. All of the CV experiments were performed at a temperature of 40°C. The CV experiment shows that Pt-black high surface area is very electroactive towards the oxygen reduction reaction compared with Pt/C and Pt–Ru/C electrocatalysts. The loading of 1.0 mg cm−2 of Pt-black high surface area shows the highest current density peak with low activation losses in CV experiments. Similar trends were observed in DEFC experiments with a maximum power density of 10 mW cm−2. Furthermore, ORR on Pt-black HSA takes place by a multi-electronic charge transfer process following a four-electron mechanism.

PtRu-SiO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;-TiO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;/C Anode Electrocatalyst for Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

The PtRu-SiO2-TiO2/C anode electrocatalyst ( loading 10wt% PtRu ) of direct methanol fuel cell is prepared by the surface reductive deposition method, using Vulcan XC-72 carbon black coated with nanometer SiO2-TiO2 (SiO2-TiO2/C) as the isotopic carrier. The surface characteristics of nanometer SiO2-TiO2 is studied through nitrogen adsorption, which shows that it is of porous structure together with large surface area, that is benefit to enhance the activity of SiO2-TiO2 and the dispersion of PtRu nanoparticle on the carrier of SiO2-TiO2/C. X-ray diffraction( XRD ) and transmission electron microscopy( TEM ) are used to characterize the catalyst. The PtRu nanoparticle homodisperse in SiO2-TiO2/C carrier with diameter around 2.4 nm. Cyclic voltammograms and chronoamperograms are conducted to compare the electrochemical methanol oxidation activity of the PtRu-SiO2-TiO2/C catalyst with the commercial PuRu/C catalyst ( 20 wt% of PtRu ). The results show that PtRu-SiO2-TiO2/C has higher catalytic activity and anti-poisoning ability for methanol oxidation, the addition of porous SiO2-TiO2 can replace the PtRu to some extent, comparing with the commercial PuRu/C catalyst, not only the loading of PtRu has been cut down 50%, but also the electro-oxidizing activity of methanol improved. The electro-oxidizing mechanism is basically analyzed.

Effect of Pt: Pd atomic ratio in Pt–Pd/C electrocatalyst-coated membrane on the electrocatalytic activity of ORR in PEM fuel cells

The influence of Pt: Pd atomic ratios (1:2–1:8) on a carbon support upon its suitability as a cathode for a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell was evaluated at a constant membrane electrocatalyst loading of 0.15 mg/cm2. The results clearly demonstrated that the different Pt: Pd atomic ratios had a significant effect on both the electrocatalyst activity and also on the performance in a H2/O2 fuel cell. Decreasing the Pt: Pd atomic ratio led to an increase in the particle size of the electrocatalyst but a decrease in the particle dispersion and electrochemical surface area (ESA). With respect to the performance in a PEM fuel cell, decreasing the Pt: Pd atomic ratio led to a decreased exchange current density (j0), electrocatalytic activity and also mass activity (MA), but to an increased total resistance (R) of the cell. The maximum activity of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the peak power (492 mW/cm2) were obtained with an electrocatalyst with a Pt: Pd atomic ratio of 1:2. Finally, the rotating disk electrode (RDE) analysis showed that the mechanism of oxygen reduction on the prepared Pt–Pd/C electrocatalyst involved a four-electron pathway with high oxygen permeability in the Nafion film.

Preparation of a high-performance Pt–Pd/C-electrocatalyst-coated membrane for ORR in PEM fuel cells via a combined process of impregnation and seeding: Effect of electrocatalyst loading on carbon support

The influence of the electrocatalyst loading (2.0–40.7 wt.%) on a carbon support on its suitability as a cathode for proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells was evaluated at a constant membrane electrocatalyst loading of 0.15 mg/cm 2. The results clearly demonstrate that different electrocatalyst loadings on a carbon support in the investigated range significantly affect not only the electrocatalyst activity but also the performance in H 2/O 2 fuel cells. Increasing the electrocatalyst loading on a carbon support led to an increase in the particle size of electrocatalyst and the pore size of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) but a decrease in the particle size distribution and MEA thickness. The maximum oxygen-reduction reaction (ORR) activity and cell performance (745 mA/cm 2 and 520 mW/cm 2 at 0.6 V) were obtained at an electrocatalyst loading of 24.1 wt.% on a carbon support.

Optimization of Ru xSe y electrocatalyst loading for oxygen reduction in a PEMFC

The synthesis, characterization and optimization of Ru xSe y catalyst loading as a cathode electrode for a single polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, PEMFC were investigated. Ru xSe y catalyst was synthesized via a decarbonylation of Ru 3(CO) 12 and elemental selenium in 1,6-hexanediol under refluxing conditions for 2 h. The powder electrocatalyst was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and examined for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in 0.5M H 2SO 4 by rotating disk electrode (RDE) and in membrane-electrode assemblies, MEAs for a single PEMFC. Results indicate the formation of agglomerates of crystalline particles with nanometric size embedded in an amorphous phase. The catalyst exhibited high current density and lower overpotential for the ORR compared to that of Ru x cluster catalyst. Dispersed Ru xSe y catalyst loading on Vulcan carbon was optimized as a cathode electrode by performance testing in a single H 2–O 2 fuel cell.

The effect of the geometric area ratio between working and counter PEM electrodes for electrochemical hydrogen reactions

This work reports on the influence of the geometric area ratio between identical electrodes in MEA on their electrochemical performance. The difficulties in obtaining half-cell electrochemical data of MEAs motivated this research. The problem arises from the equality in geometric area of working electrode (WE) and counter electrode (CE), the thin distance between them (PEM thickness in the range 15–200 μm), the need of a reliable reference electrode, similar electrocatalyst loadings but different kinetics and electrocatalyst activities toward oxygen and hydrogen partial reactions. Thus, half-cell results obtained from MEAs may be influenced by the overloaded and, under certain conditions degrading CE. This is valid especially when the hydrogen oxidation (HOR) or evolution reaction (HER) is of interest and more kinetically limited reactions such as the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) or oxygen evolution reaction (OER) proceeds on the CE. The influence of the geometric area ratio (GAR) between CE and WE on their electrode performance was established. The approach used for reduction of the WE geometric area is via partially covering the electrode by a gas impermeable, electron conductive layer. The GAR required for avoiding CE influence on WE performance was established toward HOR and HER. All tests were performed under dead-end operation condition in the EasyTest Cell.

Effect of MEA fabrication techniques on the cell performance of Pt–Pd/C electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction in PEM fuel cell

The effect of three different membrane electrode assembly (MEA) fabrication techniques, catalyst-coated substrate by direct spray (CCS) and catalyst-coated membrane by direct spray (CCM-DS) or decal transfer (CCM-DT), on the performance of oxygen reduction in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell was carried out under identical conditions of Pt–Pd/C electrocatalyst loading. The results indicated that the fabrication technique had only a very slight effect on the ohmic resistance of the PEM fuel cell but it significantly affected the charge transfer resistance and open circuit voltage (OCV). The cells prepared by the CCM method, and particularly by decal transfer, exhibited a significantly higher OCV but a lower ohmic and charge transfer resistance compared with the other investigated fabrication techniques. By using cyclic voltammetry with H 2 adsorption, it was found that the electrochemical active area of the electrocatalyst prepared by CCM-DT was higher than those prepared by CCS and CCM-DS by around 1.76- and 1.05-fold, respectively. Under a H 2/O 2 system at 0.6 V, the cells with MEA made by CCM-DT provided the highest cell performance of around 350 mA/cm 2, significantly greater than those prepared by the CCS and CCM-DS (149 and 42 mA/cm 2, respectively).