Development of a double-side ordered membrane electrode assembly based on titanium nitride nanoarrays

Abstract

The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) plays a crucial role in the functionality of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The channels present within the catalyst layer of MEAs exhibit a disordered configuration, which consequently give rise to low efficiency in mass transportation. In order to enhance the mass transfer performance and the corrosion resistance of the catalyst layer, this paper developed a double-side ordered MEA based on TiN nanorod arrays. We synthesized TiN nanorod arrays on the ITO surface by a seed-assisted hydrothermal reaction and nitriding treatment, and coated the catalyst uniformly on the TiN support by ultrasonic spraying. Then the double-side ordered MEA was fabricated by transfer printing, and achieved a peak power of 678.30 mW cm⁻² with a cathode platinum loading of 0.2 mg cm⁻² at 80 °C and anode saturated humidity. After 200 hours of accelerated stress test (AST) at 90 °C and 30/30% relative humidity, the peak performance only dropped by 4.8%. These results provide substantial evidence for the effectiveness of our developed double-side ordered MEA which can mitigate catalyst polarization corrosion. Thus, this study reveals the immense potential of the TiN nanorod array-based double-side ordered MEA in advancing the development of efficient and stable MEAs.

Keywords: PEMFC; Preparation of MEA; Ordered MEA; TiN nanorod array; Catalyst carrier.