Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Vol.417, No.1-2, 105-111, 1996
Hydrogen Oxidation on Partially Immersed Nafion(R)-Coated Electrodes
The mass transport of hydrogen on partially immersed Nafion(R)-coated electrodes (Nafion(R)Pthighly oriented pyrolytic graphite) was investigated as a model of the three-phase region of the gas-diffusion electrodes in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. On raising the electrode from a position at which the Nafion(R) coating was fully immersed in the electrolyte solution (h = 0 mm), the dependence of the H-2 oxidation current on h was similar to that reported for a partially immersed flat platinum electrode. In contrast, on raising from a partially immersed position (h = 3 mm), the current was independent of h, and higher than that when raising from h = 0 mm at a given Nafion(R) thickness. When raising from h = 3 mm, the Nafion(R) coating above the intrinsic meniscus was not covered with a thin liquid electrolyte film, but functioned solely as a supermeniscus. This made hydrogen diffusion easier, resulting in the observed higher current. From the above results, useful implications for the design of gas-diffusion electrodes in PEMFCs are demonstrated.
Keywords:MEMBRANE FUEL-CELLS;LOADING ELECTRODES;OXYGEN REDUCTION;WATER-UPTAKE;PLATINUM;NAFION;TRANSPORT;KINETICS;FILM;ACID