A Nafion^® - bound platinized carbon electrode for oxygen reduction in solid polymer electrolyte cells

Abstract

A full-factorial statistical method has been used to optimize the amount of binder, the compaction load and the compaction time in order to fabricate Nafion^® -bound carbon electrodes containing platinum and pyrolysed cobaltmeso-tetramethoxyphenylporphyrin (CoTMPP). These electrodes are designed for oxygen reduction in solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells, and it has been found that incorporation of Nafion^® gel with the carbon substrate facilitates its binding with the Nafion^® membrane of such a fuel cell. The polarization behaviour of a Nafion^® -bound carbon electrode containing platinum is compared to that containing pyrolysed CoTMPP.