Gas diffusion electrodes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells using novel organic/inorganic hybrid electrolytes: effect of carbon black addition in the catalyst layer

We have prepared novel gas diffusion electrodes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC) using new organic/inorganic hybrid electrolytes. The catalyst layers were prepared by mixing 3-(trihydroxysilyl)-1-propanesulfonic acid [(THS)Pro-SO3H], 1,8-bis(triethoxysilyl) octane (TES-Oct), Pt loaded carbon black (Pt-CB) and water, followed by a sol–gel reaction. It was found that addition of uncatalyzed carbon black (u-CB) into the cathode catalyst layer enhanced the performance at high current density region, due to an increase in the gas diffusion rate. The optimum volume ratio of u-CB/Pt-CB was found to be 0.1, at which the gas diffusivity and the catalyst utilization are well balanced.