Volumic electrodes of fuel cells with polymer electrolyte membranes: electrochemical performances and structural analysis by thermoporometry

Our studies deal with electrodes and Membrane Electrodes Assemblies (MEAs) for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs). In this paper the structure and the electrochemical behaviour of home-made electrodes are correlated with their preparation method. Different aspects of electrode preparation are considered such as the composition and the heat treatments of the active layer. First plots of potential vs current density are presented to confirm the important influence of the preparation method on the electrochemical performance of the fuel cell. Then a particular structural point is studied: the porosity of the active layer always with regard to the preparation method. The paper shows the interest of a specific technique, thermoporometry, for studying porosity in this type of electrode. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.