LAUSR

Abstract Factors as the Pt/C ratio of the catalyst, the binder content of the electrode and the catalyst deposition method were studied within the scope of ultra-low Pt loading electrodes for high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs). The Pt/C ratio of the catalyst allowed to tune the thickness of the catalytic layer and so to minimize the detrimental effect of the phosphoric acid flooding. A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with 0.05 mgPtcm−2 at anode and 0.1 mgPtcm−2 at cathode (0.150 mgPtcm−2 in total) attained a peak power density of 346 mW cm−2. It was proven that including a binder in the catalytic layer of ultra-low Pt loading electrodes lowers its performance. Electrospraying-based MEAs with ultra-low Pt loaded electrodes (0.1 mgPtcm−2) rendered the best (peak power density of 400 mW cm−2) compared to conventional methods (spraying or ultrasonic spraying) but with the penalty of a low catalyst deposition rate.