Optimization of parameters for hot-pressing manufacture of membrane electrode assembly for PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells) fuel cell

• RSM was used to determine the optimum parameters of MEA fabrication for a PEMFC.
• Non-linear quadratic equation in terms of independent parameters was obtained.
• ANOVA results of quadratic model were presented.
• The first optimum power density 862 mW cm−2 at 97.0 °C, 66 kg cm−2 and 3.56 min was obtained.
• The second optimum point power density 768 mW cm−2 at 87.35 °C, 47.71 kg cm−2 and 1.15 min was obtained.

In this study, optimization of the hot-pressing parameters in manufacturing of the MEA (membrane electrode assembly) is carried out using RSM (response surface method). The important parameters to be optimized in the MEA production are temperature, pressure and the processing (pressing) time. Therefore, the studied temperature, pressure and pressing time intervals are 80–130 °C, 10–100 kg cm−2, and 1–5 min, respectively. In the RSM, the objective function to be maximized is power density, whereas temperature, pressure and pressing time are all independent variables. This method generates a non-linear quadratic equation in terms of independent parameters. Based on contour plots and variance analysis, two optimum operation conditions are determined with respect to maximum power densities. In the first case; where the manufacturing cost and difficulties in operating conditions are taken into account, maximum power density is 862 mW cm−2 at the manufacture parameters of 97 °C, 66 kg cm−2 and 3.6 min. In the second case; where temperature, pressure and hot-pressing time are set to minimum values in order to save energy and manufacturing time, maximum power density of 768 mW cm−2 is achieved at 87 °C, 48 kg cm−2 and 1.15 min.