Investigation of the Effect of Catalyst Layer Composition on the Performance of PEM Fuel Cells

The catalyst layer of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell is a porous mixture of polymer, carbon, and platinum. The characteristics of the catalyst layer play a critical role in determining the performance of the PEM fuel cell. In this research, sample membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) are prepared using various combinations of polymer and carbon loadings while the platinum catalyst surface area is held constant. For each MEA, polarization curves are determined at common operating conditions. The polarization curves are compared to assess the effects of the catalyst layer composition. The results show that both Nafion and carbon content significantly affect MEA performance. The physical characteristics of the catalyst layer including porosity, thickness, active platinum surface area, ohmic resistance, and apparent Nafion film thickness are investigated to explain the variation in performance. The results show that for the range of compositions considered in this work, the most important factors are the platinum surface area and the apparent Nafion film thickness.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Department dc:contributor.department

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2003

Author dc:creator

• Russell, Jason Bradley

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Ellis, Michael W.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• von Spakovsky, Michael R.
• Nelson, Douglas J.

• Fuel Cell
• Nafion
• Electrodes
• Catalyst Layer
• PEMFC
• Platinum

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-08142003-193927

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/34526