Catalysts are key cost components in proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Consequently, there has been ongoing research to improve electrode catalyst activity and durability, particularly for platinum-based cathodes in hydrogen/air PEM fuel cells.

Wenjing Zhang and Peter N. Pintauro, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA, fabricated a nanofiber electrode by electrospinning an ink composed of Pt/C catalyst particles in a solution of Nafion and poly(acrylic acid). Exceptionally high power densities and platinum mass activity are achieved when using the mat as cathode in H₂/air and H₂/O₂ fuel cell membrane–electrode assemblies.
The nanofiber cathode also exhibits outstanding stability in accelerated durability tests.

• High-Performance Nanofiber Fuel Cell Electrodes,
  Wenjing Zhang, Peter N. Pintauro,
  ChemSusChem 2011.
  DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201100245