Hybrid electrode effects on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Highlight
• Hybrid electrode effects by using micro graphite for low Pt loading are investigated in the PEMFC.
• Hybrid electrode enhances the cell performance and mass activity.
• Micro graphite affects internal resistance and electrical conductivity of MEA.

Research on membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) is focused on reducing cost and increasing durability in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). Development of the electrode structure and reduction of platinum (Pt) contents are studied to improve the efficiency of Pt catalysts. We studied the combined effects of improved electrode structure and reduced Pt loading. To enhance the performance of an MEA, a commercial Pt/C catalyst with micro graphite (MG) was used. The 40 wt% Pt/C catalyst content was reduced about 5, 15, 30 and 60 wt% at the cathode. MG was added as a reduced weight percent of Pt/C. Cell performance was significantly dependent on the content of MG. The MEA with 15 wt% of MG was seen to best performance compare with other MEA. These results showed that the catalyst with mixed MG improved both performance and cost savings with reduced Pt content of PEMFC.