Effect of High Oxygen Permeable Ionomers on MEA Performance for PEFC

Abstract

Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. (AGC) has been developing the perfluorinated ion exchange polymers (ionomers) in order to improve the performance, durability and robustness of MEA for PEFC. In the present report, the effect of the high oxygen permeable ionomers on MEA performance is described. The oxygen permeability of new ionomers was determined by means of potential step chronoamperometry (PSCA) using a Pt microelectrode. It was confirmed that the new ionomers had higher oxygen permeability compared with standard ionomer, and the permeability strongly depended on the ionomer density. And, the MEA performance was improved by using the high oxygen permeable ionomers for MEA cathodes. These results suggested that the high oxygen permeable ionomer was available for the reduction of Pt loading in MEA cathodes.