Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) Using Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) Based on PT/C Catalyst with Activated Carbon-Chitosan-Nickel

Abstract

The development of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) has been focused on the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). In this research, MEA based on Pt/C mixed with activated carbon-chitosan-light metal, namely nickel, has been fabricated and tested on a PEMFC prototype. As a comparison, two commercial MEAs based on Nafion membrane were also tested, with a platinum-carbon electrocatalyst. It is found that the highest voltage achieved from the developed MEA without loading is 0.43 V, lower than the voltage achieved by the commercial MEA. When an electrical resistance load is given, a decrease in the electrical voltage was observed. However, the developed MEA is able to produce the largest power density value at an electric current density greater than 2 mA/cm². The developed MEA has shown good performance when compared to commercial MEA on the market. This preliminary research opens the potential for MEA development using more abundant and lower cost materials.