Effect of Hygroscopic Platinum/Titanium Dioxide Particles in the Anode Catalyst Layer on the PEMFC Performance

Abstract

This study investigates the feasibility of adding platinum (Pt)/titanium dioxide particles into the anode catalyst layer to improve the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The effects of adding in the catalyst layer on three critical factors, namely, the wettability, the electrical resistance, and the loading of particles, were also evaluated. It was observed that the water contact angles of these catalyst layers were decreased as the weight percentage of particles increased. Similarly, the electrochemically active surface areas prepared by these catalyst inks were decreased with the increase in addition. Single cell performance with various amounts of particles in the anode catalyst layer was investigated under different temperatures of anode humidifier. The cell with 5% particle addition in the anode catalyst layer revealed the best performance at anode humidifier temperatures ranging from 25 to .