%0 Journal Article %A Sarah A Berlinger %A Samay Garg %A Adam Z Weber %B Current Opinion in Electrochemistry %D 2021 %G eng %P 100744 %R 10.1016/j.coelec.2021.100744 %T Multicomponent, multiphase interactions in fuel-cell inks %V 29 %8 10/2021 %! Current Opinion in Electrochemistry %X
Fuel-cell catalyst layers (CLs) are porous electrodes that are fabricated from CL inks: colloidal dispersions of catalyst particles and ion-conducting polymer (ionomer), dispersed in solvent(s). The complex interactions between the ink components ultimately dictate CL microstructure and electrochemical performance. To control the CL formation process and optimize fuel-cell performance, knowledge of these ink interactions is vital. In this review, we analyze data from ink-focused papers to elucidate how ink parameters (solvent type, ionomer-to-carbon ratio, etc.) impact ink interactions and CL performance. We then discuss these results in the context of the current understanding of two critical ink interactions: ionomer/solvent and ionomer/catalyst particle interactions.