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Abstract: The quality of Al2O3–TiO2 mixed oxides produced in continuous mode by using two original rapid mixers (impinging jets and sliding surface mixing devices) as precipitation reactors are compared with those obtained by a standard stirred tank. The properties of agglomerate particles strongly depend on the operating conditions and particularly on the type of precipitator used for their production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study deals with the manufacturing of catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs) for newcomers in the field of coating. Although there are many studies on electrode ink composition for improving the performance of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), there are few papers dealing with electrode coating itself. Usually, it is a know-how that often remains secret and constitutes the added value of scientific teams or the business of industrialists. In this paper, we identify and clarify the role of key parameters to improve coating quality and also to correlate coating quality with fuel cell performance via polarization curves and electrochemical active surface area measurements. We found that the coating configurations can affect the performance of lab-made CCMs in PEMFCs. After the repeatability of the performance obtained by our coating method has been proved, we show that: (i) edge effects, due to mask shadowing - cannot be neglected when the active surface area is low, (ii) a heterogeneous thickness electrode produces performance lower than a homogeneous thickness electrode, and (iii) the origin and storage of platinum on carbon powders are a very important source of variability in the obtained results. [Display omitted] • The coating thickness and its profile depend on the type of Pt/C powder. • The coating configuration pattern affects the performance in PEMFC. • The thickness of the mask affects the homogeneity of the coating. • The type and storage of Pt/C are a source of variability in the obtained results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]