Development of high-power membrane electrode assembly for high-temperature polymer membrane fuel cells utilizing advanced Pt-alloy catalyst and phosphonated ionomers

• Applicant: Dr. Vladimir Atanasov
• Subject Area: Chemical and Thermal Process Engineering ; Polymer Materials
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 566957848

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are used as emission free systems that deliver power to vehicles for mobile applications. While their low operating temperature, fast response speed, and high-power density offer significant advantages, these same characteristics also pose challenges in heat dissipation and water management, which limit high-power operation. Operating at higher temperatures can help mitigate these issues, however, high-temperature PEMFCs (HT-PEMFCs) with phosphoric acid-doped polybenzimidazole (PA-PBI) membranes (currently the standard for PA-doped HT-PEMFCs) suffer from phosphoric acid loss, leading to reduced performance and durability. A recent study demonstrated that incorporating phosphonated ionomers and ion-pair-based membranes in fuel cells enhances phosphoric acid retention and stability, resulting in improved performance. Despite these advancements, the high platinum loading (1 mg/cm²) remains a challenge. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) aims to reduce this to 0.125 mg/cm² for passenger cars and 0.3 mg/cm² for heavy-duty vehicles. Advanced platinum (Pt) alloys such as PtCo and PtNi not only exhibit promising resistance to phosphoric acid poisoning, but also allow for a reduction in the Pt content in an electrode. However, challenges such as metal dissolution still need to be addressed. This joint project aims to develop high-durability, high-activity advanced platinum alloy catalysts with enhanced phosphoric acid tolerance for HT-PEMFCs. Additionally, it focuses on designing electrode structures compatible with phosphonated ionomers and ion-pair electrolyte membrane materials, leading to the fabrication of high-performance membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). The University of Stuttgart will synthesize and characterize the phosphonated ionomers and ion-pair membranes, optimizing their functionality and stability. The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology will focus on developing Pt alloy catalysts, designing carbon supports, and creating intermetallic catalysts to enhance stability and reduce Pt usage. The project will optimize the MEAs by integrating ion-pair membranes with advanced catalyst layers. Key innovations include ionomer optimization for improved electrode interactions and the development of high-entropy platinum alloy catalysts for enhanced performance. A comprehensive evaluation of catalyst degradation mechanisms and MEA durability will ensure long-term stability. This collaboration is expected to lead to more efficient and cost-effective HT-PEMFCs, advancing clean energy technologies.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: South Korea
• Partner Organisation: National Research Foundation of Korea, NRF
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Chanho Pak