Experimental Study of Electro-Catalyst Loading on Flexible Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Performance

In recent years, flexible electronics has emerged as a promising field that has attracted significant attention as a potential industry of the future. To realize full potential of flexible electronics, flexible power sources are essential. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are well-suited for this purpose, but the high cost of the catalyst, specifically platinum (Pt), is a major hurdle. This study sought to determine the optimal Pt loading for flexible PEMFCs, to reduce waste of catalyst and find a cost-effective solution. The optimal catalyst loading for flexible fuel cells varies depending on the operating environment and conditions. In environments requiring the generation of high power regardless of operating voltage, the optimal Pt loading is 0.1 mg_Pt cm⁻². In contrast, in environments where higher voltage is required with a minimum stacking, the optimal Pt loading is between 0.3 and 0.4 mg_Pt cm⁻². These results demonstrate optimal catalyst loading for flexible fuel cells in consideration of the operating environment and conditions. These results contribute valuable insight into the optimal catalyst loading for various applications, reducing the cost of flexible fuel cells, and paving the way for wider adoption of flexible electronics.