High performance electrodes for low pressure H2-air PEM fuel cell

The membrane electrode assemblies presented in this paper have been prepared for terrestrial applications, especially for portable ones. It is demonstrated that high performances can be attained even at low pressures by the optimization of the electrode gas diffusion layer (PTFE content) and the manufacturing process (catalyst). Experimental data obtained with Nafion 112 membrane and catalyst loadings lower than 0.6 mg/cm(2) indicate that specific power of approximately 0.35 W/cm(2) is reached.