AN OXYGEN-ELECTRODE FOR AIR-CONSUMING PROTON-EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL-CELLS FOR TRANSPORTATION APPLICATIONS

Electrodes for air-driven PEMFCs for transport applications have been developed. The structure of the electrodes has been specifically adapted to run with air as oxidant under near atmospheric pressure; such electrodes can be manufactured using conventional industrial methods and be easily scaled up. The technology has been demonstrated on a 50 cm(2) electrode area, assembled together with a Nafion(R)117 membrane. Electrodes with different platinum loading, namely 0.4 and 0.2 mg Pt cm(-2), have been the subject of long duration tests which show a slow degradation of the cell performance. With air as oxidant at 180 kPa absolute pressure, 80 degrees C as cell temperature and Nafion(R)117 as membrane, a power density of 350 mW cm(-2) has been obtained.