Electrospun hybrid electrodes with low platinum loading for pem fuel cells

In the present study, sulfonated silica (S-SiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) which are cheap and stable at low humidity are synthesized and employed in electrode structure of PEM fuel cell. Here, electrospinning is utilized to prepare hybrid fiber PEM fuel cell electrodes containing commercial Pt/C catalyst and S-SiO2 NPs with poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE) binders (carrier polymers). The morphology of electrospun electrodes have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine optimum electrospinning conditions to achieve a uniform Pt/C and S-SiO2 NPs distribution on carrier polymer and fiber thickness. Consequently, catalyst distribution along the nanofibers have also been investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Moreover, sprayed electrodes are prepared and morphology of electrospun and sprayed electrodes are compared. After obtaining fiber-based hybrid and sprayed electrodes, membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) are prepared and fuel cell tests are performed with using H2/air at different humidity. In-situ cyclic voltammetry (CV) and impedance analysis have also been performed. These novel electrospun hybrid electrodes possess not only superior PEM fuel cell performance compared to sprayed electrodes but also better performance at low humidity.