Non-platinum cathode catalyst layer composition for single membrane electrode assembly proton exchange membrane fuel cell

The performance of nano-structured templated non-platinum-based cathode electrocatalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) was evaluated for different catalyst layer compositions. The effect of non-platinum catalyst, Naflon, and 35 wt% Teflon modified Vulcan XC-72 Carbon Blacks (XC-35) loadings were measured under H-2/air and H-2/O-2 Conditions. Transport hindrances that occur in the catalyst layers are evaluated with Delta E vs. i analysis. It is shown that transport limitations in the cathode catalyst layer can limit the performance of the cell at relatively low current densities if the catalyst layer composition is not optimized. Further, a procedure is outlined here to aid in the implementation of non-traditional catalyst materials into fuel cell systems (i.e. templated electrocatalyst as compared to the standard supported material). (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.