Characterization of Fabrication Parameters in Decal Transfer Method for Platinum-Based Membrane Electrode Assembly

The primary focus of this research is the enhancement of catalyst materials and the optimization of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) fabrication processes. Currently, Pt/C catalysts are widely used in MEAs for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) applications. However, this type of catalyst is associated with high costs and suboptimal performance. Therefore, this study investigates the substitution of catalyst materials and the optimization of MEA fabrication parameters to reduce costs and improve performance. This research examines the morphology and performance of two types of catalysts: Pt/C and Pt-TiO₂/Vulcan XC-۷۲. The Pt-TiO₂/Vulcan XC-۷۲ catalyst was synthesized with a composition of ۱۵ wt.% Pt, ۵ wt.% TiO₂, and ۸۰ wt.% Vulcan XC-۷۲ using hydrothermal and photodeposition methods. The catalyst was then fabricated into an MEA using the decal transfer method. During the fabrication process, variations were applied in catalyst layer thickness, hot-press temperature, and MEA thickness. Based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, the Pt-TiO₂/Vulcan XC-۷۲ catalyst produced MEAs with superior morphological characteristics compared to Pt/C catalysts. In addition, MEAs fabricated with a thickness of ۱۴۰ μm, a hot-pressing temperature of ۸۰ °C, and a catalyst layer thickness of ۳۰ μm showed optimal morphological characteristics for both Pt-TiO₂/Vulcan XC-۷۲ and Pt/C catalysts, featuring a strong catalyst–membrane interface without cracks or delamination. The drying process, hot-pressing conditions, ionomer-to-carbon ratio, and intrinsic catalyst properties influence these results. However, the highest electrochemical performance was achieved by the Pt/C-based MEA with a thickness of ۱۴۰ μm.

کلیدواژه ها:

Fuel Cell ، hydrogen ، PEMFC ، Renewable Energy