The Pore Structure of Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Electrodes

The pore structure and morphology of direct methanol fuel cell electrodes are characterized using mercury intrusion porosimetry
and scanning electron microscopy. It is found that the pore size distributions of printed primer and catalyst layers are largely
dictated by the powders used to make the printing ink. The extent to which the pore structure is modified by changing several
parameters in the membrane electrode assembly MEA manufacturing process is discussed. The pore structure of the printed
layers is found to be invariant with respect to changes in powder loading or in choice of printing substrate, and is relatively
undisturbed by MEA hot-pressing. Changing the source of the primer powder and adding a pore-forming agent to the catalyst ink
are found to be successful methods of creating a more open pore structure in the printed layers.