Ionomer content effects on the electrocatalyst layer with in-situ grown Pt nanowires in PEMFCs

• Study ionomer contents in the Pt-NW catalyst layer.
• A high ionomer in the carbon matrix leads to the severe aggregation of Pt-NWs.
• A high ionomer impregnated on the Pt-NWs leads to high mass transport resistance.

The effects of ionomer contents were investigated in composite electrodes with in-situ grown single crystal Pt nanowires (Pt-NWs) for PEMFCs, including the amount in the carbon matrix and impregnated on the surface of the electrocatalyst layer. The electrocatalyst layer was prepared by growing Pt-NWs directly on the carbon matrix with a simple one-step wet chemical approach at room temperature. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), polarization curve tests, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were employed to evaluate the ionomer effects. The experimental results showed that the ionomer in the carbon matrix had an influence on the ionic conductivity and aggregation and distribution of the Pt-NWs, and the ionomer impregnated on the surface of the electrocatalyst layer affected the mass transport and ionic conductivity. The performance of the MEA was improved by optimizing the ionomer contents.