Characterization and Synthesis of Hydrophilic Catalyst Layer for PEMFC by Pulse Magnetron Sputter Process

• Main Authors: Zih-Gang Wang, 王自剛
• Other Authors: Wei-Yu Ho
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/02984236028739926728

碩士 === 明道大學 === 材料科學與工程學系碩士班 === 101 === Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are a type of fuel cell. The inherent humidity of PEMFCs determines the electronic effect of the cells. Currently, external humidification systems are used to maintain cell humidity, although this method increases costs and cell volumes. Therefore, this experiment focused on improving self-humidifying PEMFCs. The sputter deposition method, a type of physical vapor deposition (PVD) method, was adopted for this study. A hydrophilic TiO2 was produced on the gas diffusion electrode (GDE) to manufacture self-humidifying fuel cells. Investigations included materials micro-analysis of the produced TiO2 thin film under various conditions (target distance and time) using an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS). In addition, I-V tests for fuel cells were conducted under various humidity conditions. The electrical properties of the fuel cells significantly increased when the target distance was 6 cm, the coating time was 1 min, the cell temperature was 50°C, and the humidifying condition at the anode/cathode was 25°C/25°C (46.7 mA/cm2 to 264.5 mA/cm2) and 0°C/25°C (36.8 mA/cm2 to 190.9 mA/cm2). The improvement may have resulted from the increased electrode hydrophile increasing the humidity within the thin film. Consequently, even under low humidified conditions, the proton propagation speed in the thin film did not decline, and the electrical properties could be maintained at a certain level.