The focus of this research is the PEMFC, which is one of the most promising candidates for automotive and portable applications. There is a need to establish a more scientific framework for the evaluation and understanding of catalyst preparation techniques. A fundamental requirement is the development of tools to understand and improve the action of electrocatalysts at the nanoscale, using modelling and validation of models through novel measurement techniques. Fuel cell developers need to know which parts of the catalyst layer are most electrochemically active in order to maximise the density of active sites within the layer. Heterogeneity within active layers on the nanoscale is an important processing issue. There is a need to extract the effect of processing method on catalyst activity, since catalysts prepared under nominally similar conditions may show quite differing performance when tested.

NPL is contributing to these goals in two ways – in the development of model systems based on Pt/C for the electrochemical characterisation of fuel cell electrocatalysts and in driving the resolution of scanning electrochemical probes towards the nanoscale.

Objectives

• To develop model systems for the electrochemical characterisation of fuel cell electrocatalysts
• To drive the resolution of scanning electrochemical probes towards the nanoscale

Outputs

• Scanning electrochemical microscopy activity mapping of model fuel cell catalyst films
  NPL Report MAT 20, March 2008
• On the fabrication of model proton exchange membrane fuel cell catalyst films
  MN 3, March 2008
• Preparation and characterisation of PEM fuel cell electrocatalysts: a review
  NPL Report DEPC-MPE 019, October 2005

For more information, please contact Gareth Hinds.