Background: Nanoimprintlithography (NIL) was used to fabricate electrodes with high specific platinum surface areas for use in micro-fuel cell devices. The Pt catalyst structures were characterized electrochemically using cyclic voltammetry and were tested in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) by direct embossing. The resulting MEA yielded a very high Pt utilization compared to conventionally prepared MEAs. Embossing pattern transfer was also demonstrated for spin casted Nafion films which could be used for new applications. Technology Description: Nanoimprintlithography (NIL) was used to fabricate electrodes with high specific platinum surface areas for use in micro-fuel cell devices. The Pt catalyst structures were characterized electrochemically using cyclic voltammetry and were tested in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) by direct embossing. The resulting MEA yielded a very high Pt utilization compared to conventionally prepared MEAs. Embossing pattern transfer was also demonstrated for spin casted Nafion films which could be used for new applications. Applications: Micro-fuel cell devices.
High Platinum utilization.