Highly-optimized membrane electrode assembly for direct methanol fuel cell prepared by sedimentation method

An electrode for a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is prepared by means of the sedimentation method. A suspension containing Pt black, PTFE and water was filtered through a polycarbonate film and a thin catalyst layer remains on this film. This catalyst layer is then transferred to a gas-diffusion layer by applying a pressure to the assembly and then peeling off the filter film. For the anode catalyst layer, the suspension contained Pt-Ru black and water. The preparation process is optimized and single-cell performance is examined under different operating conditions. Operated at 60 degreesC, the output power density of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) fabricated by the sedimentation method is 70% higher than that for an assembly prepared by the conventional brushing technique. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.