2016 年 37 巻 10 号 p. 499-503
Current-sensing atomic force microscopy (CS-AFM) was applied to the analysis of surface morphology/conductivity of the membranes used for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). Nano-scale images of surface structures and protonconductive paths were simultaneously obtained under the conditions similar to those for the power generation. The “conditioning” processes enhancing the performances of PEFCs were examined by CS-AFM. Effects of the high protonic currents through the membrane and hot-water pretreatment were investigated in detail on the power generation of PEFCs with hydrocarbon electrolyte membranes.
