Synthesis of Platinum Nanoparticles and Then Self-Assembly on Nafion Membrane to Give a Catalyst Coated Membrane

Abstract

A catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) with Pt loading of 2.8 μg/cm² have been prepared by self-assembling charged Pt particles on a sulfonic acid function group, SO₃^-, on the membrane surface. Proton conductivity of the as-obtained CCM is 0.0932 S/cm. Half-cell polarisation showed that the self-assembled membrane is electrochemical active. Electrochemical characterisation of the self-assembled electrode showed that the Pt-PDDA nanoparticles were electrocatalytic active. The performance of self-assembled MEA with a Pt loading of 2.8 μg/cm² achieved 2.3 mW/cm². This corresponds to Pt utilisation of 821 W per 1 g Pt. The results demonstrated the feasibility of the formation of monolayered Pt nanoparticle structure on the membrane interface. Such a monolayered structure could offer a powerful tool in fundamental studies of polymer electrolyte systems.