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Updated: Jan 5, 2026

On the Preparation and Testing of Fuel Cell Catalysts Using the Thin Film Rotating Disk Electrode Method
Published on: March 16, 2018
Alkaline Stability of Anion-Conductive Ionomer Coated on a Carbon Surface
Ziyi Han1, Yuki Motoishi1, Tsuyohiko Fujigaya1,2,1
1Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering and Center for Molecular Systems (CMS), Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
Abstract:
Anion-exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) are promising technologies that allow the use of nonprecious metals as catalysts because the oxidation reduction reaction at the cathode occurs readily at the high pH of AEMFCs. However, the insufficient chemical stability of the anion-conductive materials in AEMFCs currently limits their development. We studied the chemical stability of the electrolyte in the catalyst layer of AEMFCs containing cationic dimethyl polybenzimidazole (mPBI). Although degradation was observed in an mPBI membrane under alkaline conditions, mPBI coated on a carbon support showed excellent alkaline stability. Because no glass transition temperature was observed for mPBI after coating on the support, the increase of chemical stability was probably associated with the decrease of polymer flexibility.
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