New dry preparation technique for membrane electrode assemblies for PEM fuel cells

Abstract

A major problem for future fuel cell commercialisation is the cost of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) satisfying both power density and lifetime requirements. New, low-cost MEA production techniques are being developed at the DLR (the German national aerospace research centre). These new MEAs have been characterised and investigated using physical and electrochemical methods to support the MEA development. This technique, based on the adaptation of a rolling process, has been developed for fuel cell electrode and MEA preparation. The procedure is very simple, and as a dry process it avoids the use of any solvents and drying steps. We have achieved a thickness of the reactive layer as low as 5 urn, reducing the amount of noble metal catalyst needed to less than 0.05 mg/cm 2 , and thus reducing the costs.