Enabling industrial production of electrodes by use of slot-die coating for HT-PEM fuel cells.

With high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell systems gradually penetrating the commercial market, material manufacturing processes demand re-evaluation for big scale production. Three different methods for electrode production are compared in terms of their suitability and performance. Homogeneity, reproducibility and durability of coated electrodes using hydrogen as well as wet reformate fuel in selected cases are investigated. This shows that the slot-die process has clear advantages in comparison to spraying and tape casting with regard to upscaling potential and film homogeneity. These electrodes have proven to be durable over more than 6000 h, with degradation rates as low as 1 μV h−1 over 3000 h of testing. • Three electrode manufacturing processes were compared. • Evaluation of performance, reproducibility, durability and homogeneity. • Single cell measurements with wet reformate fuel. • Slot-die casting has been identified as most promising for upscaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]