Fundamental kinetics/transport processes in MEAs

Abstract The results of fundamental and applied research on the development of dispersed catalysts, gas‐diffusion electrodes and membrane and electrode assemblies (MEAs) for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) are discussed. In the first part, the electrocatalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction on dispersed platinum catalysts used for the preparation of fuel cell electrodes is briefly considered. The issue is analyzed mainly in terms of the size and structure of the catalyst particles. Next, efforts on the development and single cell testing of low catalyst loading gas‐diffusion electrodes for PEFCs are reported in conjunction with the main parameters relating to the properties of the MEAs. The fuel cell polarization behavior is analyzed considering the effects of the structure and composition of the diffusion and catalytic layers of the gas‐diffusion electrode, the cell temperature and gas pressure and the thickness and the water transport through the membrane.