Abstract:

Catalyst layers (CLs) are one of the core components of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), and their performance, lifetime, and cost are closely linked with PEMFC commercialization. However, traditional catalyst layers composed of Pt/C electrocatalysts and ionomer materials face main issues such as high mass transfer resistance and low catalyst utilization, thereby affecting PEMFC performance. This paper reviews recent achievements in reducing mass transfer resistance and improving electrocatalyst utilization, elaborates on the latest progress regarding ordered mass transfer “channels” or efficient triple-phase boundary regions from three perspectives: CLs with ordered electron-conducting “channels,” proton-transport “channels,” and reactant-transport “channels.” Furthermore, the advantages and challenges of CLs fabricated via various optimization strategies are explored, and insights into the development of CLs for PEMFC are provided, highlighting that CLs with efficient triple-phase boundary regions are expected to be a major research focus or hotspot in this field.

Key words: electrochemistry, fuel cells, catalyst layers, ordered, mass transfer

摘要：

催化层是聚合物电解质膜燃料电池（PEMFC）的关键组件之一，其性能、寿命和成本与PEMFC商业化息息相关。然而由Pt/C电催化剂和离聚物形成的传统催化层面临传质阻力大、电催化剂利用率低等问题，影响PEMFC性能。本文回顾了近年研究者在降低传质阻力和提高电催化剂利用率方面取得的成就，主要从电子传导“通道”有序化的催化层、质子迁移“通道”有序化的催化层、反应物传递“通道”有序化的催化层等三个方面阐述了有序化物质传递“通道”或三相反应界面区域的研究进展；分析了催化层优化措施的应用优势及关键挑战，并对PEMFC催化层的未来发展进行了展望，指出高效三相反应界面区域的催化层是PEMFC研究重点或热点。

关键词: 电化学, 燃料电池, 催化层, 有序, 传质