High efficient μ-PEMFCs by integrating micro/nano scaled performance improving components

A silicon-based and fully integrated micro-proton exchange membrane fuel cell (μ-PEMFC) which carries out high efficient catalyst utilization and outstanding cell performance is introduced in this paper. The novel design involves the integration of micro- and nano-structures that leads to higher reaction rate due to larger surface areas, reduced impedance of fuel diffusion due to micro-patterned reaction chamber that creates extra three-phase zones, and improved interfacial strength and reduced ohmic impedance due to micro-interlocks of a single cell. The best performance in the current study is 26 mW/cm² with only 0.69 mg/cm² of Pt catalyst, and it is superior to the present micro-fuel cells after normalizing Pt loading.