Manufacturing catalyst-coated membranes by ultrasonic spray deposition for PEMFC: Identification of key parameters and their impact on PEMFC performance

This study deals with the manufacturing of catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs) for newcomers in field coating. Although there are many studies on electrode ink composition improving performance proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), few papers dealing coating itself. Usually, it is a know-how that often remains secret and constitutes added value scientific teams or business industrialists. In this paper, we identify clarify role key parameters to improve quality also correlate cell via polarization curves electrochemical active surface area measurements. We found configurations can affect lab-made CCMs PEMFCs. After repeatability obtained by our method has been proved, show that: (i) edge effects, due mask shadowing - cannot be neglected when low, (ii) heterogeneous thickness produces lower than homogeneous electrode, (iii) origin storage platinum carbon powders very important source variability results.