Low Platinum Loading Anode Electrocatalysts for Polymer Electrolyte

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells have great potential for mobile and stationary power applications. For such applications, this type of fuel cell must be capable of operating at a high power density with an ultra-low content of electrocatalyst to reduce its weight, volume and cost. Presently, the cost of this fuel cell is too high and this remains a major hindrance for commercialization. Thus, this proposed research addresses this issue with a novel Pt-sputtering based on mono or multi-layers of carbon material as anode. In the initial phase, the intern will investigate the correlation between sputter deposition methods, Nafion content in the ink and other operational parameters with respect to electrode performance.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Jean Hamelin

Student:

Sadesh Natarajan

Partner:

Hydro-Québec

Discipline:

Physics / Astronomy

Sector:

Alternative energy

University:

Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières