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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Synthesis of Platinum-nickel Nanowires and Optimization for Oxygen Reduction Performance
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Nafion structural phenomena at platinum and carbon interfaces.

David L Wood1, Jerzy Chlistunoff, Jaroslaw Majewski

  • 1Sensors and Electrochemical Devices Group, Materials Physics and Applications Division, MPA-11, MS D429, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA. wooddl@ornl.gov

Journal of the American Chemical Society
|November 21, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Neutron reflectometry revealed that polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) materials like Nafion change structure based on contact surfaces. Surface interactions and aging permanently alter Nafion

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Electrochemistry
  • Surface Science

Background:

  • Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) rely on the triple-phase interface for efficient operation.
  • Understanding material interactions at this interface is crucial for PEFC performance and longevity.
  • Nafion, a key polymer electrolyte, exhibits complex behavior influenced by its environment and contact surfaces.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interfacial behavior of Nafion on different electrode materials using neutron reflectometry.
  • To experimentally model the electrode interfaces within a PEFC.
  • To elucidate how surface chemistry and aging affect Nafion's structure and properties.

Main Methods:

  • Neutron reflectometry was employed to analyze Nafion layers on glassy carbon (GC) and platinum (Pt) surfaces.

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  • Idealized multilayer structures of Nafion were created to mimic PEFC electrode interfaces.
  • Experiments involved equilibrating Nafion films with saturated D(2)O vapor to observe structural changes.

    • Main Results:

    • Nafion formed distinct hydrophobic and hydrophilic domains, with structure varying based on contact with Pt or PtO surfaces.
    • An oxide layer on Pt (PtO) induced hydrophilic restructuring of Nafion, altering domain thicknesses.
    • Direct contact with GC resulted in a three-layer Nafion structure.
    • Aged Nafion films showed irreversible swelling, indicated by increased thickness and decreased scattering length density (SLD).
    • Aging also decreased the SLD of the GC substrate, suggesting surface oxidation or mass loss.

    Conclusions:

    • Nafion's interfacial and long-range structural properties are significantly influenced by the underlying substrate material.
    • Surface oxides can induce substantial changes in Nafion's polymer chain organization.
    • Irreversible swelling and structural changes occur in aged Nafion films, impacting their performance characteristics.