Effect of Platinum Distribution in Dual Catalyst Layer Structured Gas Diffusion Electrode on the Performance of High Temperature PEMFC

Gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) with dual catalyst layer (CL) structure were developed for improving the performance of poly(2,5-benzimidazole) (ABPBI)-based high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The effect of Pt distribution in the two CLs on the ODE performance was investigated by single cell test and electrochemical analysis. The results reveal that both kinetics and mass transfer losses can be reduced simultaneously by a proper Pt distribution in the inner layer and the outer layer, resulting in good cell performance. At ambient pressure and 150 degrees C, the maximum power density of the optimal dual CL structured GDE reached 0.41 W cm(-2), and the current density at 0.6 V is up to 0.30 A cm(-2), with H-2/air (stoichiometry of 1.5/2) and platinum loading of 0.5 mg cm(-2), which are significant higher than that for conventional single CL GDEs. A short-term (similar to 350 h) durability test shows that the dual CL structured ODE has good stability for high temperature fuel cell operation. (C) 2014 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.