Degradation Investigation of Nafion Ionomer Network In Catalyst Layers

Degradation Nafion ionomer networks within a catalyst layer has been investigated using a simulated process, in which a series of catalyst layers with different Nafion® ionomer contents (from 28% to 10% Nafion content) were used to avoid the interference from the degradations of catalyst and membrane. The degradation of Nafion ionomer networks affected the performance and structure of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). With the decrease of Nafion ionomer in catalyst layer, the performance of a MEA was affected within the entire range of polarization curves (i.e. kinetic, Ohmic, and mass-transport regions).