Porous Transport Layer Coating Durability Under Harsh Electrolyte Flow

The patent creates a simplified copy of the actual PEM electrolysis operating environment by immersing the PTL specimen in an electrolyte solution and applying rotation to simulate fluid flow and shear stress conditions. This copying approach allows accurate durability assessment without requiring the full complex system, thus improving measurement precision while controlling device complexity.

The patent changes key operating parameters (rotation speed, electrolyte composition, temperature, pH) to simulate different harsh environment conditions that the PTL coating would experience in actual operation. By systematically varying these parameters, the evaluation can accurately assess durability under multiple operating scenarios using a relatively simple apparatus.

The patent performs chemical etching of the PTL surface before applying the precious metal coating, creating a roughened surface that enhances mechanical interlocking and adhesion. This preliminary surface preparation action ensures better coating bonding and reduces defects like peeling and uneven coverage, thereby improving reliability while managing manufacturing precision requirements.

The patent replaces complex multi-step coating process quality control with a simplified evaluation method that directly tests the coated PTL specimen under simulated operating conditions. Instead of relying on multiple inspection steps during manufacturing, the durability assessment apparatus directly evaluates the final coating performance, reducing the impact of manufacturing precision variations.