A Novel Approach to Fabricate Membrane Electrode Assembly by Directly Coating the Nafion Ionomer on Catalyst Layers for Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Cheng Yang3,4; Han, Ning5; Wang, Yajun4,5; Yuan, Xiao-Zi6; Xu, Jiaoyan3,4; Huang, Henghui3,4; Fan, Jiantao1,2; Li, Hui3,4; Wang, Haijiang4,5

2020-07-06

10.1021/acssuschemeng.0c02386

ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering   影响因子和分区

2168-0485

The fabrication art of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell strongly correlates to the cell performance. It has been recognized that defects, for example, high interfacial resistance between the catalyst layers (CLs) and the membrane or cracks in the CLs, may occur during the MEA manufacturing process. These defects could greatly influence the electrochemical performance of the fuel cell. To eliminate those defects and improve the cell performance, in this study, a novel fabrication approach of the MEA for PEM fuel cells is developed. With this method, the Nafion ionomer, employed as a PEM, is directly coated onto both the cathode and anode CLs. As a result, not only an excellent interfacial connection between the PEM and CLs is achieved with a low interfacial resistance, but also cracks are eliminated due to Nafion ionomer penetration into the cracks, forming hydrophilic channels with ionic conduction. Those ionic conduction channels improve the water management, lower the mass transport loss, and facilitate the proton transfer, thus maximizing the three-phase boundary and enhancing the utilization of Pt/C catalysts. By adding an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene film, a favorable mechanical property of the MEA is also achieved. This novel MEA exhibits excellent cell performance under low humidity conditions. Under the H-2/air operation, the cell performance reaches a high maximum power density of 1.35 W cm(-2).

PEM fuel cell MEA fabrication defect reinforced Nafion ionomer

SCI ; EI

英语

第一 ; 通讯

National Key Research and Development Program of China[2017YFB0102701][2018YFB1502503] ; Development and Reform Commission of Shenzhen Municipality 2017[11063][11817] ; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Hydrogen Energy[ZDSYS201603311013489] ; Shenzhen Peacock Plan[KQTD2016022620054656] ; Guangdong Innovative and Entrepreneurial Research Team Program[2016ZT06N500] ; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Energy Materials for Electric Power[2018B030322001]

Chemistry ; Science & Technology - Other Topics ; Engineering

Chemistry, Multidisciplinary ; Green & Sustainable Science & Technology ; Engineering, Chemical

WOS:000548456600022

AMER CHEMICAL SOC

20203209009409

Electrodes ; Ion exchange membranes ; Catalysts ; Ion exchange ; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) ; Fabrication ; Ionomers ; More electric aircraft

Aircraft, General:652.1 ; Fuel Cells:702.2 ; Chemical Plants and Equipment:802.1 ; Chemical Reactions:802.2 ; Chemical Agents and Basic Industrial Chemicals:803 ; Chemical Products Generally:804 ; Organic Polymers:815.1.1

Web of Science

1.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Mat Sci & Engn, Shenzhen Key Lab Hydrogen Energy, Guangdong Prov Key Lab Energy Mat Elect Power, Shenzhen 518055, Peoples R China
2.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Acad Adv Interdisciplinary Studies, Shenzhen 518055, Peoples R China
3.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Shenzhen Key Lab Hydrogen Energy, Dept Mat Sci & Engn, Shenzhen 518055, Peoples R China
4.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Guangdong Prov Key Lab Energy Mat Elect Power, Shenzhen 518055, Peoples R China
5.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Mech & Energy Engn, Shenzhen 518055, Peoples R China
6.Natl Res Council Canada, Energy Min & Environm Res Ctr, Vancouver, BC V6T1WS, Canada

Cheng Yang,Han, Ning,Wang, Yajun,et al. A Novel Approach to Fabricate Membrane Electrode Assembly by Directly Coating the Nafion Ionomer on Catalyst Layers for Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells[J]. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering,2020,8(26):9803-9812.

Cheng Yang.,Han, Ning.,Wang, Yajun.,Yuan, Xiao-Zi.,Xu, Jiaoyan.,...&Wang, Haijiang.(2020).A Novel Approach to Fabricate Membrane Electrode Assembly by Directly Coating the Nafion Ionomer on Catalyst Layers for Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells.ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering,8(26),9803-9812.

Cheng Yang,et al."A Novel Approach to Fabricate Membrane Electrode Assembly by Directly Coating the Nafion Ionomer on Catalyst Layers for Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells".ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 8.26(2020):9803-9812.