Nanoimprinted electrodes for micro-fuel cell applications

André D. Taylor, Brandon D. Lucas, L. Jay Guo, Levi T. Thompson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Nanoimprint lithography (NIL) was used to fabricate electrodes with high specific Pt surface areas for use in micro-fuel cell devices. The Pt catalyst structures were characterized electrochemically using cyclic voltammetry and were found to have electrochemical active surface areas (EAS) ranging from 0.8 to 1.5 m2 g-1 Pt. These NIL catalyst structures were tested in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) by directly embossing a Nafion 117 membrane. The features of the mold were successfully transferred to the Nafion and a 7.5 nm thin film of Pt was deposited at a wide angle to form the anode catalyst layer. The resulting MEA yielded a very high Pt utilization of 15,375 mW mg-1 Pt compared to conventionally prepared MEAs (820 mW mg-1 Pt). Embossing pattern transfer was also demonstrated for spin casted Nafion films which could be used for new applications.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)218-223
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Power Sources
Volume171
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 19 2007

Keywords

  • Electrode
  • Embossing
  • Micro-fuel cell
  • Nafion
  • Nanoimprint lithography
  • Thin film catalyst

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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