Morphology of Thin-Film Nafion on Carbon as an Analogue of Fuel Cell Catalyst Layers
Journal: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
Year: 2024

Species transport in thin-film Nafion heavily influences proton-exchange membrane (PEMFC) performance, particularly in low-platinum-loaded cells. Literature suggests that phase-segregated nanostructures in hydrated Nafion thin films can reduce species mobility and increase transport losses in cathode catalyst layers. However, these structures have primarily been observed at silicon-Nafion interfaces rather than at more relevant material (e.g., Pt and carbon black) interfaces. In this work, we us