Effect of SiO2 Additive in Catalyst Layer and Electrolyte on the Performance for Mesothermal Fuel Cell Using Room Temperature Molten Salts

Abstract

Solid acid additive such as SiO2 to a room temperature molten salts (RTMs) applied membrane, which is a mesothermal fuel cell electrolyte without humidification, improves ionic conductivity and compression strength. However, the effect of SiO2 additive on the performance of the PEFCs is not yet clarified. In this study, we determined effect of SiO2 additive for membrane and catalyst layer on the performance of the PEFCs using diethylmethylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate ([dema][TfO])/sulfonated polyimide (SPI) electrolytes to evaluate RTMS/SPI/solid acid system for PEFCs. The addition of SiO2 in the membrane and anode catalyst layer improved cell activity of catalyst layer, ionic conductivity and stabilize the cell performance against gas flow rate increase.These effects would be affected by the behavior of produced water.