For the commercialization of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), it is essential to achieve high performance while improving the durability of the membrane electrode assembly. In particular, the durability of PEMFCs can be improved by adding radical scavengers, such as CeO2 (ceria), to the membrane. Though it is desirable to insert the ceria at the interface between the membrane and electrode, where the generated radical attack initiates, this increases interfacial resistance and ionic resistance, thereby inducing a probable reduction in initial performance, compared to that of a conventional membrane. Here, we developed modified Nafion electrolyte membranes with a spatially located patterned ceria containing Nafion ionomer to improve durability while minimizing performance degradation. The fabrication process includes an etching process to pattern the electrolyte membrane, and the ceria nanoparticle layer is selectively deposited by spray coating onto the membrane. The synergetic effect of the structural modification of the electrolyte membranes and the introduction of the functional ceria layer exhibited improved chemical durability, while maintaining the initial performance of the PEMFC.

In this study, we aim to develop a self-humidifying polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) by depositing platinum (Pt) on a membrane using sputtering. After we coated it with a Nafion^® ionomer solution. This is considered a solution that can prevent membrane degradation in low humidity conditions. By introducing this self-humidifying concept, we can expect improved performance compared to conventional PEMFCs. By managing the water content of Nafion^®, we aim to improve both the stability and performance of the PEMFCs. This research contributes to the development of more efficient and reliable PEMFC systems, showing promise for advances in this field.

This study reports on the feasibility of applying polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) system to an energy storage system (ESS). We modeled each constituting system to compute the overall efficiency of the ESS. As a result, it was verified that the power plants’ electric powering capability can be curtailed. The amount of reduction is equal to that of 2nd Gori Nuclear Power Plant currently under construction. We calculated that approximately 320.85 L/day · MW of hydrogen is produced on a national scale. Also, Seoul’s demand output power of PEMFC and the requisite area of sites to install the PEMFC system are approximately 236 MW and 59059 m² respectively. This study can contribute to preventing the upsurge of the entire electric powering installed capability. Based on the present technology level, this study diagnoses the use of hydrogen-based ESS which will be introduced in the upcoming hydrogen economy period. Considering the water electrolysis by polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzers are currently at the beginning of commercialization and the energy density per mass of hydrogen is exceedingly high, we anticipate that the future of hydrogen base ESS’ effectiveness will reach greater levels than the analysis of this study.