Effects of Nafion® ionomer and carbon particles on structure formation in a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell catalyst layer fabricated by the decal-transfer method

Cross-sectional visualizations of catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs) with various weight ratios of Nafion® ionomer to carbon (N/C) in catalyst layers (CLs) of a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell were performed by a cross-section polishing method and scanning electron microscopy. Nitrogen physisorption measurements and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy studies were also performed. The CL structure clearly affected the performance of the cell. Sufficient proton, electron, and oxygen paths are probably established in N/C 1.0, resulting in relatively higher cell performance per unit of Pt loading, whereas in N/C 3.0, insufficient transport paths were produced as a result of plugging of nanoscale pores by Nafion® ionomer. However, the effective gas diffusivity in N/C 0.3 may be increased because of increases in porosity and pore diameter. Methods for controlling the macroscopic structural parameters of CLs during their manufacture are discussed; the thickness and porosity are determined mainly by the carbon and the ionomer, respectively.

► Structure analysis of the proton-exchange membrane fuel cell catalyst layers.
► Catalyst-coated membranes with various weight ratio of Nafion ionomer to carbon.
► The thickness is determined mainly by the carbon content.
► The porosity is determined mainly by the ionomer content.