Advanced Membrane-Electrode Assembly (MEA) for PEM Fuel Cells

聚合物电解质膜(PEM)燃料电池已进入商业化的早期阶段，燃料电池公交车和汽车已成为清洁交通的重要组成部分。然而，由于性能和耐用性的改善，它仍然被认为是昂贵的，而降低铂催化剂的负载量是降低成本的关键。拟议的研究项目旨在开发低成本、高性能和耐用的PEM燃料电池，用于清洁交通和其他新兴应用，为改善城市地区的空气质量和减少温室气体排放做出重大贡献。 本提案中描述的研究是通过合作和伙伴关系开发具有商业可行性的先进PEM燃料电池技术的努力的一部分。拟议的研究涉及：i)通过原子和分子水平的操纵开发低和超低铂负载量的催化剂和活性载体；ii)成本效益高的配方和具有批量生产能力的催化剂层的制造；iii)低成本、高性能和耐用的膜-电解液组件(MEAs)，PEM燃料电池动力系统的核心组件。将通过物理和电化学手段对所开发的催化剂和活性载体进行表征；将对所制备的催化层进行微观结构、孔结构和孔径分布以及有效传输性能的表征；并将通过测试和评估其性能和耐用性来表征MEAs。为了有效地利用现有的专门知识和资源来加快进展，计划对拟议的研究采取协作办法。申请者和支持组织与现有的研究基础设施具有互补的专业知识和技能，可以成功地开展拟议的研究，并一直在通过面对面和电子会议和交流共同开发和准备这项拟议的研究。拟议的研究结果将有助于支持组织努力开发具有巨大潜力的PEM燃料电池技术并将其商业化。

Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell has reached early stage of commercialization with fuel cell buses and vehicles becoming an essential part of clean transportation. However, it is still considered expensive with need for improvement in both performance and durability, and lowering platinum catalyst loading is essential for cost reduction. The proposed research project aims at developing low-cost, high performing and durable PEM fuel cells for clean transportation and other emerging applications, contributing significantly to improvement in the air quality of urban areas and to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The research described in this proposal is a part of the effort to develop commercially viable advanced PEM fuel cell technology through collaboration and partnership. The proposed research involves the development of i) low- and ultra-low platinum loading catalysts and active supports through atomic and molecular level manipulation, ii) cost-effective formulation and fabrication of catalyst layers with volume production capability, and iii) low-cost, high performing and durable membrane-electrolyte assemblies (MEAs), the core component of PEM fuel cell power systems. The catalysts and active supports developed will be characterized through physical and electrochemical means; the catalyst layers fabricated will be characterized for their microstructure, pore structure and pore size distribution, and effective transport properties; and the MEAs will be characterized through testing and evaluation for their performance and durability. To effectively utilize the expertise and resources available for accelerated progress, a collaborative approach is planned for the proposed research. The applicants and the supporting organization have complementary expertise and skills with already available research infrastructure to carry out the proposed research successfully, and have been working together to develop and prepare this proposed research through in-person and electronic meeting and communication. The result of the proposed research will be useful for the supporting organization's effort to develop and commercialize PEM fuel cell technology of immense potential.