Filtered Cathodic Vacuum Arc Deposition of Porous and Nanostructured Carbon and Hybrid C-Mo Thin Films for Fuel Cell Membranes

Abstract

In our proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, the electrolyte is a catalyst platinum (Pt) coated nafion membrane. In order to increase the electrochemically active catalyst area to enhance the cell performance but without sacrificing the electrical conductivity of the membrane, carbon thin films were deposited onto the membrane by using the filtered cathodic vacuum arc deposition (FCVAD) technique. With varying the deposition conditions, it was possible to form porous carbon films and nanoisland and nanorod structure surface which increased the catalyst area when a higher He working gas pressure and a low number of pulses were used. Based on this result, hybrid C-Mo thin films were deposited for further enhancing the Pt catalytic effect. Under the varied deposition conditions, the surface morphology and C and Mo grain sizes of the hybrid thin films were measured and their relations with the catalytic performance were studied. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/34867