New results of PEFC electrodes produced by the DLR dry preparation technique

At DLR Stuttgart a dry production technique has been developed for the preparation of electrodes and membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) for hydrogen PEFC as well as for direct methanol PEFC. Different spray strategies and different mixtures of electrodes and catalysts were tested to improve cell performance and reproducibility. The main advantage of the dry production technique [J. Power Sources 86 (2000) 352, Fuel Cell Bull. 15 (1999) 8] is the solvent-free coating of the electrodes, which allows a continuous production of MEA. In addition, thin layers (<5 μm) can be produced saving expensive catalyst material.