Cathode catalyst layer design for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

► Teflon addition and catalyst loading pattern for PEM fuel cells were studied. ► Adding Teflon into the catalyst layer can improve the PEMFC performance. ► Two catalyst layer loading patterns, strip and chess, were created. ► Both patterns contain equal areas of several hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments. ► Chess pattern gave the highest cell performance, especially at a high Pt loading.