Preparation and characterization of SPE composites forelectrolyzers and fuel cells

Abstract Solid Polymer Electrolyte (SPE) technology is a promising technique for the development of energetically efficient electrolysers (water, brine electrolysis and organic synthesis) and power generators (H 2 /O 2 fuel cell). In this paper, we present three different methods for the preparation of electrocatalyst-solid electrolyte composites: First, a procedure based on the localized precipitation of noble metal microparticles within a perflourinated ionomer membrane was developed. Then, the chemical transformation of perflourinated ionomers which lead to thermoplastic materials onto which can be pressed appropriate electrode structures was made. Finally, the preparation, characterization and use of solutions and gels of perflourinated ionomers, leading to the realization of catalyst-based structures suitable for H 2 /O 2 fuel cell application, were descrived.