Abstract
A catalyst layer is one of the key elements in PEMFC. A catalyst site must satisfy an electrochemically active surface for it to contribute to the electrochemical reaction in a fuel cell. To maximize catalyst utilization, it is desirable to satisfy these three criteria for as many of catalyst sites as possible. The criteria are proton access, gas access, and electronic path continuity. But it is still important to clarify the relation between the structure of a catalyst layer and the cell performance. In the present study, first catalyst layers with different amounts of components were fabricated. Second, the polarization curves were measured. Finally the thickness and surface of catalyst layers were measured with a micrometer and an atomic force microscope, respectively, and the relation between the structure and composition of a catalyst layer and the cell performance was discussed.
