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Development of nano-catalyzed membrane for PEM fuel cell applications

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Abstract

Nano-catalyzed membrane with different platinum (Pt) catalyst loadings (0.25 to 1 mg cm−2) was investigated for proton exchange membrane fuel cell applications, and the Pt loading on the Nafion membrane was prepared by non-equilibrium impregnation reduction method. The prepared catalyzed membranes were subjected to various characterisations, namely, X-ray diffraction, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray, cyclic voltammetry, polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The polycrystalline fcc cubic structure and the particle size of Pt catalyst were estimated by X-ray diffraction analysis. The membrane with 0.4 mg cm−2 of Pt loading exhibits a favourable surface morphology which is confirmed by HRSEM image. Electrochemical investigations were clearly evident that the uniform distributions of Pt particles with fine pores on Nafion membrane facilitated the three-phase boundary which leads to a better cell performance. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy demonstrated that the cell constructed using 0.4 mg cm−2 of platinum-loaded membrane has lower resistance than the other Pt loading.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. TUM CREATE, 1 CREATE Way, #10-02 CREATE Tower, Singapore, 138602, Singapore

    S. Sundar Pethaiah

  2. School of Chemistry, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 630 003, Tamil Nadu, India

    S. Sundar Pethaiah & G. Paruthimal Kalaignan

  3. Agni College of Technology, Chennai, 603 103, Tamil Nadu, India

    G. Sasikumar

  4. Energy Research Institute (ERI @ NTU), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637 553, Singapore

    M. Ulaganathan

  5. School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637371, Singapore

    V. Swaminathan

Authors
  1. S. Sundar Pethaiah
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  2. G. Paruthimal Kalaignan
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  3. G. Sasikumar
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  4. M. Ulaganathan
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  5. V. Swaminathan
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Correspondence to S. Sundar Pethaiah.

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Pethaiah, S.S., Kalaignan, G.P., Sasikumar, G. et al. Development of nano-catalyzed membrane for PEM fuel cell applications. J Solid State Electrochem 17, 2917–2925 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-013-2211-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-013-2211-3

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