The influence of pore forming additives introduced into the active layer of oxygen (air) gas diffusion electrodes for PEMFCs was studied. Two types of electrodes, with low (LL) and high (HL) platinum loading respectively, were investigated. In both cases, optimal amounts of pore-forming additives were used after experimentation on the increase in the volume porosity of the active layer. The increased volume porosity resulted in a significant reduction in the mass transport resistance in the

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... ve layer of the oxygen (air) cathode and therefore in a substantial improvement in electrode performance. Possible positive and negative aspects of changing the volume porosity of the active layer by means of additional pore formation are discussed.