title: Interface-designed Membranes with Shape-controlled Patterns for High-performance Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells.
abstract: Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell is a promising zero-emission power generator for stationary/automotive applications. However, key issues, such as performance and costs, are still remained for an economical commercialization. Here, we fabricated a high-performance membrane electrode assembly (MEA) using an interfacial design based on well-arrayed micro-patterned membranes including circles, squares and hexagons with different sizes, which are produced by a facile elastomeric mold method. The best MEA performance is achieved using patterned Nafion membrane with a circle 2 μm in size, which exhibited a very high power density of 1906 mW/cm(2) at 75 °C and Pt loading of 0.4 mg/cm(2) with 73% improvement compared to the commercial membrane. The improved performance are attributed to the decreased MEA resistances and increased surface area for higher Pt utilization of over 80%. From these enhanced properties, it is possible to operate at lower Pt loading of 0.2 mg/cm(2) with an outstanding performance of 1555 mW/cm(2) and even at air/low humidity operations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-749, Korea.
authors.forename: Yukwon
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-749, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong Jun
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-749, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Kwan
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-749, Korea.
authors.forename: Yunseong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-749, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Hak
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-749, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Gun
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Shul