Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell based electrochemical energy conversion systems represent a cleaner alternative to replace diesel-based internal combustion engines for heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) applications. Enhanced durability of the fuel cell cathode is critical to decrease the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the vehicles. The fuel cell cathode comprises a platinum-based catalyst and perfluorosulfonic (PFSA) ionomer, which is needed to aid in proton conductivity, but it also creates an acidic environment for platinum dissolution. Here we report a new surface treatment process of the catalyst using an organic fluorocarbon molecule to efficiently distribute the ionomer and decrease the level of Pt dissolution. This allows for a ∼2-fold decrease in ionomer usage without compromising proton conductivity (∼25 mS cm^–1) due to the condensed, superprotonic ionomer pathways, thereby significantly improving platinum surface area retention. The structure of the electrode design and plausible reasons for the improved durability are discussed in detail here.

中文翻译：

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通过酸性离聚物的高效分布实现耐用的燃料电池电极设计


基于质子交换膜 （PEM） 燃料电池的电化学能量转换系统是替代重型车辆 （HDV） 应用中基于柴油的内燃机的更清洁替代方案。增强燃料电池阴极的耐用性对于降低车辆的总拥有成本 （TCO） 至关重要。燃料电池阴极由铂基催化剂和全氟磺酸 （PFSA） 离聚物组成，这是帮助质子导电所必需的，但它也为铂的溶解创造了酸性环境。在这里，我们报道了一种新的催化剂表面处理工艺，该工艺使用有机碳氟化合物分子来有效分布离聚物并降低 Pt 溶解水平。由于浓缩的超质子离聚物途径，这使得离聚物的使用量减少了 ∼2 倍，而不会影响质子电导率 （∼25 mS cm^–1），从而显著提高铂的表面积保留。此处详细讨论了电极设计的结构和提高耐用性的合理原因。