Thin Film Electrode Arrays for Mapping the Current‐Voltage Distributions in Proton‐Exchange‐Membrane Fuel Cells

Abstract

An array of reference electrodes was fabricated on a polyperfluorosulfonic acid membrane using microlithographic techniques. This array was used to map the current‐voltage distribution at a proton exchange membrane fuel cell anode. Inhomogeneity in the voltage distribution was attributed to nonuniform humidification of the electrode, resulting in a decrease in half‐cell performance. Details of the fabrication method and the theory behind the array concept are presented.