Ensuring optimal catalytic activity is key to fuel cell performance.

To improve catalytic activity you can evaluate and adjust the particle size of the catalyst material using a particle analyzer. To help build fuel cells that maintain their activity over time, you can assess the active metal area and dispersion using Anton Paar’s chemisorption devices. Optimizing these physicochemical properties provides a significant cost benefit as noble metals can be implemented more efficiently before cell assembly.

To determine the final concentration of these noble metals, elemental analysis has to be performed which is only possible after adequate sample preparation with microwave-assisted acid digestion. 

Research into novel materials for fuel cells, in particular catalysts, is facilitated and accelerated by microwave synthesis.

To improve the catalyst support you can minimize the variability between batches of carbon before impregnation/deposition. Anton Paar’s gas sorption analyzers deliver a detailed assessment of the pore size and surface area which can be used to achieve a consistent surface area and pore size of the nanoporous carbon.

Modifying the surface of carbon nanotubes can also improve catalytic performance by facilitating the proton transfer through the catalyst layer. These modifications can be performed based on evaluation of the zeta potential of the surfaces with Anton Paar’s electrokinetic analyzer.

The gas diffusion layer can be improved by optimizing fluid permeability and controlling flooding. To evaluate the gas permeability, water management, and ohmic behavior before cell assembly, you can perform pore size distribution measurements which can be used to optimize performance.

To ensure consistent and sufficient fluid transport before cell assembly and control flooding, use a vapor sorption analyzer to perform hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity measurements and determine the best gas diffusion layer composition.