Kamino Takeo, Yaguchi Toshie, Shimizu Takahiro
Fuel Cell Nanomaterials Center, University of Yamanashi, 6-43 Miyamae-cho, Kofu 400-0021, Japan.
Vacuum Device Inc.,1285-5 Iijima-cho, Mito, Ibaraki 311-4155, Japan.
Microsc Microanal. 2017 Oct;23(5):945-950. doi: 10.1017/S143192761701248X. Epub 2017 Aug 30.
Polymer electrolyte fuel cells hold great potential for stationary and mobile applications due to high power density and low operating temperature. However, the structural changes during electrochemical reactions are not well understood. In this article, we detail the development of the sample holder equipped with gas injectors and electric conductors and its application to a membrane electrode assembly of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Hydrogen and oxygen gases were simultaneously sprayed on the surfaces of the anode and cathode catalysts of the membrane electrode assembly sample, respectively, and observation of the structural changes in the catalysts were simultaneously carried out along with measurement of the generated voltages.
