Using SiO₂ Nanopowders in Anode Catalyst Layer to Improve the Performance of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell at Low Humidity

Chien-Liang Lin, Shih-Chieh Hsu, Wei-Yu Ho

Department of Materials and Energy Engineering, MingDao University, Changhua, Taiwan, China.

DOI: 10.4236/msce.2015.31011                

Abstract

In this study, the transfer method is employed to add hydrophilic SiO₂ nanopowders to a Pt/C catalyst ink to form an anode catalyst layer on a proton exchange membrane (PEM). The SiO₂-layered membrane electrode assembly improves the performance of the PEM under low- or zero-humidification conditions. When the PEM fuel cell (PEMFC) undergoes electrochemical reaction, the moisture content of the PEM exhibits a substantial influence on the transmission of protons. To ensure the moisture content remains high, an external humidifier is typically employed to humidify the majority of PEMFCs. However, self-humidifying PEMFCs could utilize the water produced by the fuel cell reaction, thereby eliminating the need for an external humidifier. In this study, various SiO₂ loadings were added to an anode catalyst layer, and the cell temperature and gas humidification conditions were adjusted to determine the influence of the SiO₂ loadings on the fuel cell performance. The results show that adding SiO₂ is preferable to not adding SiO₂ when the fuel cell temperature is 50°C.

Keywords

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell, Self-Humidifying, SiO₂

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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