Influence of Ionomer/Carbon Ratio on the Performance of a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell

Author： Eguchi Mika Baba Koki Onuma Takamitsu Yoshida Kazuma Iwasawa Kenta Kobayashi Yoshio Uno Katsuhiro Komatsu Keishiro Kobori Maya Nishitani-Gamo Mikka Ando Toshihiro

Publisher： MDPI

E-ISSN： 2073-4360|4|4|1645-1656

ISSN： 2073-4360

Source： Polymers, Vol.4, Iss.4, 2012-11, pp. : 1645-1656

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Abstract

We have used fibrous carbon materials as polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) electrodes. We have examined the influence of the ionomer/carbon ratio on the performance of the PEFCs. The Marimo carbon is a kind of carbon with a spherical shape, and consists of carbon nanofilaments. Fibrous carbon materials have large specific surface areas without fine pores. The reactant gases and generated water can easily diffuse among the nanofilaments. The ionomer plays two roles; one is a proton transfer activity, and the other is binding the catalyst electrodes. An excess ionomer interferes with the diffusion of gases. The ionomer/carbon ratio should affect the performance of the PEFC, especially at a high current density.