Korean Membrane Journal

The Membrane Society of Korea (한국막학회)
권호 표지

Use of Inner Ionomer Solution in Preparing Membrane-Electrode Assembly (MEA) for Fuel Cells and Its Characterization

  • Seo, Seok-Jun (Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)) ;
  • Woo, Jung-Je (Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)) ;
  • Yun, Sung-Hyun (Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)) ;
  • Park, Jin-Soo (Fuel Cell Research Center, New and Renewable Energy Research Division, Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER)) ;
  • Moon, Seung-Hyeon (Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST))
  • Published : 2008.12.31
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Abstract

Optimization of ionomer solution was conducted in order to improve the performance of MEAs in PEMPC. The interface between membrane and electrodes in MEAs is crucial region determining fuel cell performance as well as ORR reaction at cathode. Through the modification of Nafion ionomer content at the interface between membrane and electrodes, an optimal content was obtained with Nafion 115 membranes. Two times higher current density was obtained with the outer Nafion sprayed MEA compared with the non-sprayed one. In addition, the symmetrical impedance spectroscopy mode (SM) exhibited that the resistances of membrane area, proton hydration, and charge transfer decreased as the outer Nafion is sprayed. From the polarization curves and SM, the highest current density and the lowest resistance was obtained at the outer ionomer content of $0.15\;mg\;cm^{-2}$.

Keywords

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