Membrane electrode assembly(MEA) is the most important component of proton exchange membrance(PEM) fuel cell and it plays a crucial role for the performance of the fuel cell. High performance and high power density MEA is urgently desired for the commercialization of the fuel cell on a large scale. The conventional MEA is consist of proton exchange membrane, cathode/anode catalyst layer, cathode/anode gas diffusion layer(usually called five in one MEA), and the gas diffusion layer includes gas diffusion material and microporous layer. The performance of MEA depends on two aspects of materials and preparation technology. The preparation technology, the key component material of MEA and the platinum loading have an important influence on the performance and power density of MEA. In recent years, the performance of MEA has been greatly improved with the improvement of the key material(such as catalyst, proton exchange membrane) and the progress of preparation technology, and the volume power density of the Toyota Corporation can achieve as high as 3.2 kW/L. In this paper, the research progress of MEAs with high performance and high power density in recent years are introduced from the main views of MEA's preparation technology, involving the preparation technology of catalyst layer and gas diffusion layer. Meanwhile, the research progress are introduced in two aspects:reducing platinum loading and developing self-humidifying MEAs.
Contents
1 Introduction
2 Research and development of electrode preparation and assembly technology
3 Construction and research of proton exchange membrane and functional layers
3.1 The influence of proton exchange membrane on the performance of membrane electrode
3.2 Construction of catalyst layer
3.3 Construction of gas diffusion layer and microporous layer
4 Low platinum supported membrane electrode assembly with high performance
5 Self-humidifying membrane electrode assembly with high performance
6 Conclusion