Catalyzed microelectrode mediated by polypyrrole/Nafion® composite film for microfabricated fuel cell applications

A novel Si-based micromachined electrode composed of polypyrrole (PPy)/Nafion® film and electrochemically deposited Pt nanocatalysts was prepared for the microfabricated fuel cell applications. In addition to its high surface area to host nanocatalyst particles, the PPy/Nafion® composite film offers good electron and proton conductivity and the fabrication of such films is largely compatible with the micromachining process. The resulted catalyzed microelectrodes exhibit high electrochemical active surface area and high catalyst utilization. The corresponding Si-based micro membrane–electrode-assembly demonstrates good cell polarization characteristics using the H2/O2 feed.