Interlocking membrane/catalyst layer interface for high mechanical robustness of hydrocarbon-membrane-based polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.

Oh, Keun-Hwan; Kang, Hong Suk; Choo, Min-Ju; Jang, Duk-Hun; Lee, Dongyoung; Lee, Dai Gil; Kim, Tae-Ho; Hong, Young Taik et al. · Adv Mater · 2015

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

A physical interlocking interface that can tightly bind a sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES) membrane and a Nafion catalyst layer in polymer electrolyte fuel cells is demonstrated. Owing to higher expansion with hydration for SPAES than for Nafion, a strong normal force is generated at the interface of a SPAES pillar and a Nafion hole, resulting in an 8-fold increase of the interfacial bonding strength at RH 50% and a 4.7-times increase of the wet/dry cycling durability.