PtRu/C catalyst slurry preparation for large-scale decal transfer with high performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Issue 63 (25th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Choi, Mihwa; Kim, Jong Kwan; Kim, Jungsuk; Yang, Seugran; Park, Ji-Eun; Kim, Ok-Hee; Cho, Yong-Hun
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 8:Issue 63(2018)
• Page Start: 36313
• Page End: 36322
• Publication Date: 2018-10-25
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c8ra07754a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : A large-area membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) has been fabricated using the decal transfer method with a methanol-based PtRu/C catalyst slurry and its excellent performance was realized by using reformed hydrogen gas. Abstract : The large-area membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) has been fabricated using the decal transfer method with a methanol (MeOH)-based PtRu/C catalyst slurry. The stability of slurry dispersion is important when using a large-area decal transfer method to ensure the integrity of the electrode. In order to prepare stable and well dispersed catalyst slurry, a suitable solvent for the PtRu/C catalyst should be selected. We considered the physical properties of various organic solvents, including ionomer solubility, dielectric constant, and catalyst particle surface physical properties. We found that the MeOH-based PtRu/C slurry dispersion showed the best stability and dispersibility of catalyst–ionomer agglomerates. It was also confirmed that the MeOH-based slurry has the most suitable characteristics for coating the slurry on the substrate film. The decal technique-based MEA using this slurry showed excellent performance when compared with the spray method-based MEA. Furthermore, the large-area PtRu/C MEA with an active area of 51.84 cm 2 was fabricated and excellent performance was realized even when a reforming gas was used.