Optimization of Pt Catalyst for Anode/Cathode of PEMFC via Magnetron Sputtering

In this study, performance of thin film Pt catalysts with metal loadings in the range of 1–200 µg/cm2 prepared by magnetron sputtering was investigated for both anode and cathode sides of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) in H2/O2 and H2/air modes. Standard microporous layers comprising carbon nanoparticles and Teflon PTFE and FEP supported gas diffusion layer, as well as their modifications by magnetron deposition of carbon in N2 atmosphere (leading to CNx) followed by plasma etching were used as substrates for Pt deposition. The CNx structure exhibits higher resistance to electrochemical etching as compared to pure C as was determined by mass spectrometry analysis of PEMFC exhaust at different cell potentials for both sides of PEMFC. The platinum utilization in PEMFC with magnetron sputtered thin-film Pt electrodes is up to 2 orders of magnitude higher than with the current state-of-the-art Pt/C catalysts while keeping the similar power efficiency.