Ameliorating effect of silica addition in the anode-catalyst layer of the membrane electrode assemblies for polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Sahu, A. K. ; Selvarani, G. ; Pitchumani, S. ; Sridhar, P. ; Shukla, A. K. (2007) Ameliorating effect of silica addition in the anode-catalyst layer of the membrane electrode assemblies for polymer electrolyte fuel cells Journal of Applied Electrochemistry, 37 (8). pp. 913-919. ISSN 0021-891X

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Official URL: http://www.springerlink.com/content/854u64522h4116...

Related URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10800-007-9331-3

Abstract

Incorporation of silica particles through a sol-gel process into the anode-catalyst layer with a sol-gel modified Nafion-silica composite membrane renders easy retention of back-diffused water from the cathode to anode through the composite membrane electrolyte, increases the catalyst-layer wettability and improves the performance of the Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC) while operating under relative humidity (RH) values ranging between 18% and 100% with gaseous hydrogen and oxygen reactants at atmospheric pressure. A peak power density of 300 mW cm-2 is achieved at a load current-density value of 1200 mA cm-2for the PEFC employing a sol-gel modified Nafion-silica composite membrane and operating at 18% RH. Under similar operating conditions, the PEFC with a Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) comprising Nafion-silica composite membrane with silica in the anode-catalyst layer delivers a peak power density of 375 mW cm-2. By comparison, the PEFC employing commercial Nafion membrane fails to deliver satisfactory performance at 18% RH due to the limited availability of water at its anode, acerbated electro-osmotic drag of water from anode to cathode and insufficient water back diffusion from cathode to anode causing the MEA to dehydrate.

Item Type:Article
Source:Copyright of this article belongs to Springer.
Keywords:Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell; Silica-Nafion Composite Membrane; Wettability; Humidification; Anode-catalyst Layer
ID Code:81793
Deposited On:07 Feb 2012 12:11
Last Modified:07 Feb 2012 12:11

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