Investigation of PEM Fuel Cell Electrodes by Transmission Electron Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and -Ray Diffraction

Abstract

PEM fuel cell electrodes were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). As one example of the application of these techniques, catalyst nanoparticles were characterized before and after desorption experiments up to 150°C, in the frame of temperature-dependent CO desorption kinetics experiments, which are of importance for a better understanding of the fundamental physicochemical processes involved in improving CO tolerance. Particle diameter distributions of a novel Pt-on-Au based catalyst nanomaterial were determined from TEM data and compared with average sizes calculated from XRD data.JRC.DDG.F.2-Cleaner energ