Catalytic layer - membrane electrode assembly methods for optimum formation of triple phase boundaries and fuel cell performances

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), designed mainly for mobility applications, converts chemical energy to electrical energy. The formation of electrodes for PEMFC is a delicate balancing of transport media. Conductivity of gas, electrons, and protons known as a triple phase boundary (TPB), plays a key role on the fuel cell operation and performances. Currently, in order to overcome some performance limitations in a practical PEMFC operation, R&D strategies have been focused on the Pt replacing by non-noble based metal catalysts or decrease the overall Pt loading to below of 0.1 mgPt.cm–2 by 2030 (DOE Targets), as well as the optimization of the TPB structure. Furthermore, we present here a critical overview from different deposition techniques used in the fabrication of MEA’s and the effects on the TPB formation. In particular, we discussed Print-Light Synthesis as a new emerging technology for catalyst deposition and nanostructuration onto a broad range of supports.