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Boosting PEM fuel cell cathode performance: The effect of mixing carbon supports on morphology and stability.

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Title: Boosting PEM fuel cell cathode performance: The effect of mixing carbon supports on morphology and stability.
Authors: Laumen, Steffen1,2 (AUTHOR), Burger, Thomas1 (AUTHOR) thomas.burger@freudenberg-eps.com, Bretzler, Patrick1 (AUTHOR), Jurzinsky, Tilman1 (AUTHOR), Ott, Sebastian1 (AUTHOR), Strasser, Peter1,2 (AUTHOR) pstrasser@tu-berlin.de
Source: Journal of Power Sources. Apr2026, Vol. 671, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subjects: Carbon-based materials, Stability (Mechanics), Platinum nanoparticles, Proton exchange membrane fuel cells, Cathode efficiency, Morphology, Durability
Abstract: Carbon catalyst supports significantly impact on the performance and durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Different types of carbon support materials show distinct favorable or detrimental characteristics. In this study, cathodes with platinum nanoparticles deposited on physical mixtures of distinct carbon materials, each with different properties, were prepared, tested, and compared to Pt/C cathodes prepared using each individual carbon support material. The performance of the membrane electrode assemblies (12 cm2 active area) was tested under comparable conditions in single-cell setups using the carbon support accelerated stress test proposed by the U.S. Department of Energy. Physiochemical changes in cathode morphologies and thicknesses were analyzed before and after testing. Our findings demonstrate that by physically combining carbon supports with different properties, a significant increase in morphological stability and layer integrity can be achieved. Moreover, this mixed carbon support approach resulted in a reduction of cathode layer degradation effects such as mass transport limitations and layer collapse during accelerated stress tests. A synergistic effect in the physical mixture of two different carbon types is discussed. We hypothesize that if one type of carbon shows severe degradation under the tested conditions, the other type can compensate and thereby mitigate performance loss. [Display omitted] • Manufacturing fuel cell cathodes with Pt nanoparticles on mixed carbon supports. • Comparative study of activity and durability for Pt/C with single vs mixed supports. • Mixing carbon supports improves cathode durability under stress tests. • Better morphology and porosity retention reduce transport loss and layer collapse. • Synergistic effects of combining different carbon support types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Carbon catalyst supports significantly impact on the performance and durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Different types of carbon support materials show distinct favorable or detrimental characteristics. In this study, cathodes with platinum nanoparticles deposited on physical mixtures of distinct carbon materials, each with different properties, were prepared, tested, and compared to Pt/C cathodes prepared using each individual carbon support material. The performance of the membrane electrode assemblies (12 cm2 active area) was tested under comparable conditions in single-cell setups using the carbon support accelerated stress test proposed by the U.S. Department of Energy. Physiochemical changes in cathode morphologies and thicknesses were analyzed before and after testing. Our findings demonstrate that by physically combining carbon supports with different properties, a significant increase in morphological stability and layer integrity can be achieved. Moreover, this mixed carbon support approach resulted in a reduction of cathode layer degradation effects such as mass transport limitations and layer collapse during accelerated stress tests. A synergistic effect in the physical mixture of two different carbon types is discussed. We hypothesize that if one type of carbon shows severe degradation under the tested conditions, the other type can compensate and thereby mitigate performance loss. [Display omitted] • Manufacturing fuel cell cathodes with Pt nanoparticles on mixed carbon supports. • Comparative study of activity and durability for Pt/C with single vs mixed supports. • Mixing carbon supports improves cathode durability under stress tests. • Better morphology and porosity retention reduce transport loss and layer collapse. • Synergistic effects of combining different carbon support types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:03787753
DOI:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2026.239493