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Effect of Adding Zinc Oxide Particles to the Anode Catalyst Layer on the Performance of a Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

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Abstract

Commercial and home-made hygroscopic zinc oxide (ZnO) particles were added to the anode catalyst layer of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) to improve its wettability, and thus the performance of a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell under low-humidity conditions. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the size of the home-made ZnO particles calcined at 300°C ranged from 20 nm to 30 nm. Single-cell performance with different types of ZnO particle in the anode catalyst layer was investigated at anode humidifier temperatures of 25, 45, and 65°C; the cell and cathode humidifier temperatures were fixed at 65°C. MEA with the ZnO particles calcined at 300°C had maximum power densities of 0.26, 0.33, and 0.34 W/cm2 at anode humidifier temperatures of 25, 45, and 65°C, respectively; these were 30, 37.5, and 36% higher, respectively, than for MEA without ZnO particles.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the National Science Council of Taiwan for financial support of this research under contract no. 102-2622-E-005-001-CC2.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan

    Sheng-Yu Fang, Rong-Hsin Huang, Tien-Jen Lin, Kai-Chun Yang & Fuh-Sheng Shieu

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, 91201, Taiwan

    Lay Gaik Teoh

  3. Department of Solar Engineering, AU Optronics Corporation, Taichung, 40763, Taiwan

    Wen-Kai Chao

  4. Department of Energy Engineering, National United University, Miaoli, 36003, Taiwan

    Kan-Lin Hsueh

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  1. Sheng-Yu Fang
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  2. Lay Gaik Teoh
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Correspondence to Fuh-Sheng Shieu.

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Fang, SY., Teoh, L.G., Huang, RH. et al. Effect of Adding Zinc Oxide Particles to the Anode Catalyst Layer on the Performance of a Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell. J. Electron. Mater. 43, 3601–3610 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-014-3246-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-014-3246-7

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