Synthesis and durability of CNT based MEAs for PEMFC (Nanoduramea) (N-INNER)

The objective of the product is to improve the durability of the membrane electrode assemblies of PEM fuel cells by studying the basic degradation phenomena of carbon supported PT catalysts and perflourosulphonated proton conducting membranes. Improved ca talysts are developed by using advanced carbon nanostructures including nanotubes (CNT), nanofibres (CNF) and nanobuds (CNB) as the support material and by alloying Pt with base metals, especially with Co and Cr. The surface properties of the carbon nano structures are modified in order to facilitate for optimum desposition of Pt anbd Pt alloy nanoparticles on these supports as well as to prevent Pt nanoparticles growth on these surfaces. These advanced catalysts are characterized with difference surface scientific methods, e.g. XRD, TEM, EDS and XPS, and dispersed into lonomer inks for MEA fabrication. Laboratory scale MEAs are prepared by spray coating and in-situ tested in FC single cell and multisinglecell setups. Standard electrochemical methods lik e CV and EIS as well as fluorine (FER) and sulphate (SER) emission rate measurements are used to study the MEA degradation. The experiments are designed and analyzed using statistical software tools. As an outcome, MEA durability improvements by factor o f 2-3 in identical operation conditions can be expected.