Reduction of Interfacial Gaps and Enhancement of PEM Fuel Cell Performance Via a New CCL|MPL Architecture

A new enhanced architecture for fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) which incorporates deposition of an MPL layer directly on a catalyst coated membrane (CCM) is demonstrated. This modified MPL helps to reduce interfacial gaps present between the catalyst layer and the conventional MPL-coated gas diffusion layer of the MEAs and reduces water accumulation, which ultimately results in higher power densities (Figure 1). Three types of commercial carbon black with different porosity and hydrophilicity were directly deposited on the low loading cathode catalyst layers (0.1 mgPt cm−2) of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) used in H2/O2 fuel cells. Among the carbon materials investigated, Acetylene Black- and Vulcan XC72R-based modified MPLs (mass loadings ~ 0 – 1.0 mg cm−2) lead to higher performance in the high current density regions due to their lower porosity and higher hydrophobicity. Detailed information about this approach, preparation and performance characteristics will be discussed during the meeting. Figure 1