Evaluation of hot pressing parameters on the electrochemical performance of MEAs based on Aquivion® PFSA membranes

The membrane-electrodes assembly (MEA) is the core of the Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC). It consists of a membrane, catalytic (CL) and gas diffusion layers (GDL). In order to manufacture MEAs with suitable performance, a hot-pressing procedure is generally used. The relevant parameters are the temperature, pressure and time of hot-pressing. Such variables need to be adjusted as a function of the type of ionomer used in the catalytic layer and membrane. In this study, an evaluation of the temperature of hot-pressing was carried out and its influence on MEA electrochemical performance was assessed. In particular, preparation trials of MEAs were carried out with reinforced experimental membranes based on Aguivion (R) short-side-chain PFSA (by Solvay Specialty Polymers). The membranes were coupled to gas diffusion electrodes, and MEAs were manufactured using different temperatures for the hot-pressing procedure in order to evaluate their influence on the electrochemical performance of PEFCs, in the temperature range of 80-95 degrees C, with low relative humidity of the reactant gases. The electrochemical performance of the prepared MEAs was tested in a H-2/Air 25 cm(2) single cell in terms of polarization curves and accelerated stress test (AST). (C) 2019 Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press. All rights reserved.