Experimental Study of a Reversible Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) Performance Characteristic with Respect to Variable Catalyst Loading

Abstract

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) run on pure hydrogen and oxygen (or air), producing electricity, water, and some heat. This makes PEMFCs an attractive option for clean power generation. PEMFCs also operate at low temperature which makes them quick to start up and easy to handle. PEMFCs have several important limitations which must be overcome before commercial viability can be achieved. This study discusses and shows the results obtained after an experimental investigation on the operational behaviour and characteristics of a single proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) with the variation in the catalytic loading. The Platinum catalyst reserves are not adequate to fulfil its demands in automotive, industrial and stationary applications; hence the main focus of this study is on the platinum loading reductions (both on anode and cathode side) without any significant loss of voltage. For the experimental investigation a single reversible PEMFC with active area of 6.25 cm2 and Nafion-117 membrane loaded with Platinum catalyst of 1 mg/cm¬2 and 2 mg/cm¬2 density is used.