Optimization of Catalyst layer of Non-Platinum Catalyst for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell

Abstract

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is considered to be a powerful future energy resources with the high energy efficiency and pollutant-free energy resources. Recently, the interest in fuel cells has been further boosted by the launch of NEXO, a hydrogen-fuel cell car from Hyundai Motor Group. Despite this interest, price competition with existing diesel cars is still very poor, unless government subsidies are provided. For cost competitiveness of the fuel cell, it is more important to reduce the price of the catalyst. Platinum catalysts and Pt-alloys and Pt-core shells are being studied to lower the catalyst price, but ultimately it is important to develop non-precious metal catalysts that do not use platinum. Non-precious metal-based catalysts have been studied as catalysts to replace platinum catalysts in the form of carbon-based, low-cost transition metal doping. Until now, studies on non-precious metal catalysts have mainly focused on the active site of the catalyst and the high activity of the oxygen reduction reaction. Catalysts exhibiting similar activity to platinum catalysts have been reported as oxygen reduction reactions, but their performance is not adequately realized when the catalysts are applied as MEAs. Therefore, it is important that the non-precious metal based catalyst activity is properly implemented in the MEA. In this study, optimal electrode manufacturing method were investigated through three MEA manufacturing methods and to find the optimal ratio by changing the ratio of ionomer to carbon (I/C ratio) for proper ionomer distribution in the electrode.