A study of the catalyst layer morphology generated by electrospray: effect of the voltage and catalyst ink aging on its performance in a proton electrolyte membrane fuel cell

Abstract

Proton electrolyte membrane fuel cells are gaining relevance in different energy sectors as a viable alternative to the use of fossil fuels. Among others, the automotive industry is one of the sectors that has focused a special interest on this technology with the aim of reducing its gas emissions. Thus, with the increase in the production to great scale of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), the amount of catalyst demanded is expected that increase accordingly. In this context, the optimization of both, the composition of the catalyst ink used, and the technique employed for the fabrication of the catalyst layers (CL), are two of the main challenges to be solved in this field. Electrospray is an optimized technique to prepare catalyst layers (CL) for fuel cells. However, aspects such as the voltage applied in the electrospray and the aging of the catalyst inks until its use for the catalyst layer preparation, are some of the key aspects to be studied because they can significantly alter their fuel cell performance. Therefore, this work was focused on studying by cyclic voltammetry, how the voltage used in the electrospray and the ink aging alter the morphology of the catalyst layer and, consequently, their performance in a fuel cell.