Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1291932 Journal of Power Sources 2007 6 Pages PDF
Abstract

The effect of Nafion® ionomer aggregation in solution on the structure of the cathode catalyst layer of a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) was investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS), laser particle sizer, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that large aggregation particles were suppressed by the addition of NaOH to aqueous solutions of Nafion®, which led to a smaller agglomerate particle size distribution in the catalyst ink. The cathode catalyst layer made from the catalyst ink with NaOH addition showed a more uniform distribution of sulfur and Pt elements, a higher electrochemical active surface area (48% increase) and achieved a better performance in the DMFC than one made from the catalyst ink without NaOH addition.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Chemistry Electrochemistry
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