Investigation of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) hot-pressing parameters for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Apichai Therdthianwong, Phochan Manomayidthikarn and Supaporn Therdthianwong

Energy, 2007, vol. 32, issue 12, 2401-2411

Abstract: The hot-pressing conditions for fabricating the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) was investigated by using a 2n full factorial design. Time, temperature and pressure were key parameters that were varied from 500 to 1500psi, 1 to 5min and 100 to 160°C, respectively. The results from the full factorial analysis indicated that the order of significance of the main MEA fabricating effects was temperature, pressure, time–temperature interaction and pressure–time–temperature interaction. By examining the cell performance curves, the lower fabrication conditions of temperature and pressure were suitable for MEA preparation. The conductive layer between the membrane and the catalyst layer became thin at high pressure and high temperature, as seen from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. In the ranges of condition studied, the most suitable hot-pressing condition for MEA fabrication was at 100°C, 1000psi and 2min. This condition provided the highest maximum power density from the MEA and the best contact at the interfaces between the gas diffusion layer, the active layer and the electrolyte membrane. The experimental results were verified by testing with a commercial MEA in the same operating condition and with the same equipment. The performance of the fabricated MEA was better than that of the commercial one.

Keywords: Full factorial design; Hot-pressing process; Membrane electrode assembly; Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:32:y:2007:i:12:p:2401-2411

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2007.07.005

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