A Testing Apparatus of the Gas Diffusion Electrode Catalysts for Fuel Cells

A new apparatus for the evaluation of catalysts in the gas diffusion electrodes is proposed. A test specimen of catalyst loaded on carbon paper is mounted in Teflon holder and partially immersed in test solutions. The specimen is designed to revolve in the air and solution phases, thereby experiencing alternate contacts with gas | liquid phases. The reactant oxygen appears to be supplied mostly when the surface of the electrode is in the gas phase, which then brings about the cathodic current when the surface is in the liquid phase. After testing several kinds of catalysts, it is established that the apparatus successfully simulates the conditions of gas diffusion electrodes, and can be used in assessing such catalysts for fuel cells.