Design of ordered-catalyst layers for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell cathodes

Cathode catalyst layers in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) composed of ordered structures were designed by using a modified agglomerate model. The kinetics of oxygen-reduction reaction at the catalyst–polymer electrolyte interface and proton and oxygen transport through the polymer electrolyte phase were considered. Calculations suggest that at ultra-low Pt loading, the cell performance is sensitive to the Pt loading, and that size reduction of ordered structures is essential to improve cell performance. At high Pt loading, the cell performance is not as sensitive to the Pt loading, and the ordered structures must be carefully optimized to obtain the maximum cell performance.