Identification of the key variables in membrane electrode preparation for PEM fuel cells by a factorial design

This work aimed to characterize and optimize the variables that influence membrane electrode preparation using a design of experiment (DOE) approach in two steps. First, in the process of electrode preparation, the quantity of PTFE and drying time were found to have no significant influence whereas the drying temperature and atmosphere, and their interactions, were the significant variables on the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) performance; a low drying temperature under the air atmosphere being the proper condition. In the second step, investigating the effect of Nafion content and drying temperature, it was found that the level of Nafion is critical to the cell performance. There was an optimal Nafion content. In the study, a 15% (w/w) level of Nafion and 80 degrees C drying temperature for 0.5 h under the air atmosphere were the optimal condition for prepartion of a MEA with 1 mg cm(-2) of Pt loading. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.