An experimental analysis of platinum utilization in a DMFC cathode is performed. The chief objective of this work is to elucidate the effect of Nafion and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) on platinum utilization values on the cathode. Polarization curves indicate that the performance of a DMFC is sensitive to the Carbon/Nafion (C/N) and Nafion:PTFE (N/P) ratio in the catalyst layer. Our analysis shows that supported Pt/C catalysts have a much higher platinum utilization value than unsupported catalysts. Platinum utilization is a maximum at a C/N ratio of 2.5 and at a N/P ratio of six. Platinum utilization is more sensitive to the Nafion content in the catalyst layer than the Teflon content.
