Distinguishing adsorbed and deposited ionomers in the catalyst layer of polymer electrolyte fuel cells using contrast-variation small-angle neutron scattering

Harada, Masashi*; Takata, Shinichi  ; Iwase, Hiroki*; Kajiya, Shuji*; Kadoura, Hiroaki*; Kanaya, Toshiji*

The ionomers distributed on carbon particles in the catalyst layer of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) govern electrical power via proton transport and oxygen permeation to active platinum. Thus, ionomer distribution is a key, to PEFC performance. This distribution is characterized by ionomer adsorption and deposition onto carbon during the catalyst-ink coating process; however, the adsorbed and deposited ionomers cannot easily be distinguished in the catalyst layer. Therefore, we identified these two types of ionomers based on the positional correlation between the ionomer and carbon Particles. From fitting with a model for a fractal aggregate of polydisperse core-shell spheres we determined the adsorbed-ionomer thickness on the carbon particle to be 51 angstrom land the deposited-ionomer amount for the total ionomer to be 50%. Our technique for ionomer differentiation can be used to optimally design PEFC catalyst layers.