Comparing different production technologies for proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells

Membrane/electrode assemblies (MEAs) for proton-Exchange-Membrane fuel cells with thin electrodes and different porosities resulting from different production technologies are investigated. The membrane electrode assemblies are either produced by hot pressing platinized carbon percolated with Nafion as electrode material on Nafion 117 membranes or by spraying an electrocatalyst slurry onto the heated membrane with subsequent drying. An additional porosity is implemented by the addition of fillers to the electrocatalyst slurry which are dissolved after production of membrane electrode assemblies. The influence of the production technology on electrode porosity and Fuel cell performance is investigated, As a result the importance of coarse pores for thin film electrodes is demonstrated.