(605b) Improving Interfacial Proton Transport in Ionomer Thin Films for Enhanced Fuel Cell Performance

The performance of electrochemical devices like fuel cells, electrolyzers, and batteries relies heavily on how proton-conducting ionomers are organized within thin ionomer binder film at the interface with catalyst materials. In Nafion thin films, limited proton conductivity at ionomer-catalyst interface hinders the electrochemical reaction, leading to sub-optimal performance. We addressed this challenge by engineering the substrate interface with a thiol-based molecule. Techniques, such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), were employed to confirm successful surface modification. Our analysis revealed a significant enhancement in proton conductivity within the thin film deposited on the modified surfaces compared to those on unmodified surfaces, particularly under high relative humidity conditions. Furthermore, we investigated how interfacial engineering influenced the hydration behavior of ionomer films. The study underscores the critical role of interfacial engineering in enhancing proton transport in confined environments, thus driving forward electrochemical technologies reliant on proton transport.