Ultrasonic Spraying of Fuel Cell Coatings
Ultrasonic Spraying of Fuel Cell Coatings – Spraying System – Cheersonic
Ultrasonics has been used in a host of fuel cell related technologies such as Proton Exchange Membranes (PEM) fuel cells, Gas Diffusion Layers (GDLs), Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, electrodes and electrolyte membranes. Ultrasonic spray technology is ideally suited for spray coating costly materials such as platinum and other precision metals in carbon black ink slurries. These chemistries when applied using ultrasonic nozzles onto Nafion fuel cells are superior to hydraulic deposition, pressing, knife edge and paste printing methods.
Ultrasonic coating systems produce highly durable, uniform, coatings of carbon-based catalyst inks onto both fuel cell and electrolysis processes for proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, without deformation of the membrane. Uniform catalyst coatings are deposited onto PEM fuel cells, GDLs, electrodes, various electrolyte membranes, and solid oxide fuel cells with suspensions containing carbon black inks, PTFE binder, ceramic slurries, platinum and other precious metals. Other metal alloys, including Platinum, Nickel, Ir, and Ru-based fuel cell catalyst coatings of metal oxide suspensions can be sprayed using ultrasonics for manufacturing PEM fuel cells, polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, DMFCs (Direct Methanol Fuel Cells) and SOFCs (Solid Oxide Fuel Cells) to create maximum load and high cell efficiency. Cheersonic’s fuel cell catalyst coating systems are uniquely suited for these challenging applications by creating highly uniform, repeatable, and durable coatings. Cheersonic ultrasonic nozzles break apart agglomerated particles as they travel down the nozzle body due to continuous ultrasonic vibrations along the length of the nozzle, resulting in the most effective use of functional particles. Breaking up agglomerates into evenly dispersed catalyst layers using ultrasonic spray results in higher electrochemical performance and greater repeatability of functional coatings.
Benefits of ultrasonic spray technology over other methods:
- Uniform small sized deposits maximize surface area and efficacy of catalyst deposits.
- Ultrasonics minimizes product clumping or agglomeration of material.
- Ultrasonic technology does not harm your chemistry by causing excessive exposure to the atmosphere during application, shearing and separation of materials in suspension.
- Ultrasonic vibration eliminates nozzle clogging.
- Maximum uniformity of film thickness and film density.
- Low velocity spray reduces over-spray.
- Spray plume can be easily shaped and directed to coat only target area.
- Robust design and materials resist wear and corrosion.
