Holistic approach to chemical degradation of Nafion membranes in fuel cells: modelling and predictions

Frühwirt, Philipp; Kregar, Ambrož; Törring, J. T.; Katrašnik, Tomaž; Gescheidt, Georg

doi:10.1039/c9cp04986j

Cited by 48 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 102 publications

(357 reference statements)

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“…The full model (FM) of the chemical degradation of PEM, recently published by Frühwirt et al [4], comprising 23 reactions between 23 chemical species, is listed in Table 1. The model can roughly be separated into three submodels (divided by horizontal lines in Table 1), describing three distinct processes, leading to the chemical degradation of the perfluorinated membrane.…”

Section: Degradation Model Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Table 1. Overview of the model [4] obtained by mathematical simplification procedures. The rate constants k = A exp (−E a /RT) are given in L mol −1 s −1 and at temperature T = 298.15 K, activation energies E a in kJ mol −1 and the pre-exponential factors A in L mol −1 s −1 .…”

Section: Degradation Model Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this paper, we focus on the modeling of the degradation in perfluorinated sulfonic acid ionomer membranes (e.g., Nafion ® , most commonly used in LT-PEMFC). A zero-dimensional kinetic framework, describing chemical membrane degradation, consisting of 23 chemical species participating in 23 relevant coupled chemical equations, was recently published by Frühwirt et al [4]. The basis of the model is the Fenton reaction [5][6][7] between hydrogen peroxide H 2 O 2 and iron impurities (Fe 2+ ):…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The aim of this paper is therefore a derivation of a computationally-optimized yet adequately accurate chemical membrane degradation model for low-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Such a model, which is derived from the complete set of chemical reactions, involved in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) degradation [4] via systematic reduction, opens an unprecedented capability in high-fidelity, real-time, virtual exploration of membrane degradation. The applicability of the model thus ranges throughout the entire V-development process, starting with the office system layout studies, where very short computational times and a high prediction capability of the model are crucial, due to the unavailability of the experimental data and a large variety of configurations and control strategies that need to be exploited.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sensitivity Based Order Reduction of a Chemical Membrane Degradation Model for Low-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

et al. 2020

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The chemical degradation of the perfluorinated sulfonic acid (PFSA) ion-exchange membrane as a result of an attack from a radical species, originating as a by-product of the oxygen reduction reaction, represents a significant limiting factor in a wider adoption of low-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (LT-PEMFCs). The efficient mathematical modeling of these processes is therefore a crucial step in the further development of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Starting with an extensive kinetic modeling framework, describing the whole range of chemical processes leading to the membrane degradation, we use the mathematical method of sensitivity analysis to systematically reduce the number of both chemical species and reactions needed to efficiently and accurately describe the chemical degradation of the membrane. The analysis suggests the elimination of chemical reactions among the radical species, which is supported by the physicochemical consideration of the modeled reactions, while the degradation of Nafion backbone can be significantly simplified by lumping several individual species concentrations. The resulting reduced model features only 12 species coupled by 8 chemical reactions, compared to 19 species coupled by 23 reactions in the original model. The time complexity of the model, analyzed on the basis of its stiffness, however, is not significantly improved in the process. Nevertheless, the significant reduction in the model system size and number of parameters represents an important step in the development of a computationally efficient coupled model of various fuel cell degradation processes. Additionally, the demonstrated application of sensitivity analysis method shows a great potential for further use in the optimization of models of operation and degradation of fuel cell components.

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Section: Degradation Model Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Degradation Model Descriptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Sensitivity Based Order Reduction of a Chemical Membrane Degradation Model for Low-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

et al. 2020

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“…Despite significant development in recent years, the degradation of fuel cell components remains the main limiting factor in a wider adoption of this technology. Several degradation mechanisms, deteriorating the performance of crucial fuel cell components, are shared between the LT and the HT-PEMFCs, most notable among them being the degradation of the proton conducting membrane [4] and the catalyst layer [5]. While the membrane degradation mechanisms differ significantly between LT-and HT-PEMFC because of the difference in the membrane materials used [3], the characteristics of the catalyst layer, and consequently the relevant degradation mechanisms, -Paper presented at the 23rd EFCF Conference ''Low-Temperature Fuel Cells, Electrolyzers, H2-Processing Forum'' (EFCF2019), 2-5 July 2019 held in Lucerne, Switzerland.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methodology for Evaluation of Contributions of Ostwald Ripening and Particle Agglomeration to Growth of Catalyst Particles in PEM Fuel Cells

2020

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The degradation of the catalyst layer represents one of the main limiting factors in a wider adoption of fuel cells. The identification of the contributions of different mechanisms of catalyst degradation, namely the Ostwald ripening and particle agglomeration, is an important step in the development of mitigation strategies for increasing fuel cell reliability and prolonging its life time. In this paper, the degradation phenomena in high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (HT‐PEMFC) are analyzed using a physically‐based model of fuel cell operation and catalyst degradation, describing carbon corrosion, platinum dissolution and consequent growth of catalyst particles. The model results indicate significantly different time dependence of catalyst particle growth resulting from different mechanisms: linear growth in the case of particle agglomeration and root‐like time dependence for the Ostwald ripening. Based on these results, a new analytic method is proposed, performed by the fitting of a test root‐function to the time profile of the particle size growth and using best‐fit parameters to identify the prevailing growth mechanism. Using this method on a particle growth time trace deduced from in situ cyclic voltammetry measurement during HT‐PEMFC degradation, we are able to identify the agglomeration as the main mechanism of catalyst particle grow.

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Ce(III)‐Based Coordination‐Complex‐Based Efficient Radical Scavenger for Exceptional Durability Enhancement of Polymer Application in Proton‐Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells and Organic Photovoltaics

Kwon

Min

Park³

et al. 2022

Adv Energy and Sustain Res

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To ensure a sustainable future, a tremendous range of energy conversion and storage devices including fuel cells, photovoltaics, and electrolyzers, has been developed in recent decades for the eco-friendly production and consumption of energy, without increasing CO 2 emissions. [1] The main concern about those devices for practical realization is maximizing the overall lifetime of their operation, which is largely affected by the durability of device-configuring materials under the specific operation condition for each device. In particular, soft polymeric materials are some of the key materials in those devices and are widely applied as active sites for energy conversion, charge carrier transporting media, material transporting media, etc. However, degradation of those polymeric materials in the device inevitably occurs during device operation in physical and chemical manner. [2] To be more

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Holistic approach to chemical degradation of Nafion membranes in fuel cells: modelling and predictions

Abstract: We present a model and web-based tool for rapid and efficient prediction and rationalization of chemical membrane degradation in PEMFCs including protection mechanisms.

Cited by 48 publications

References 102 publications

Sensitivity Based Order Reduction of a Chemical Membrane Degradation Model for Low-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Sensitivity Based Order Reduction of a Chemical Membrane Degradation Model for Low-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Methodology for Evaluation of Contributions of Ostwald Ripening and Particle Agglomeration to Growth of Catalyst Particles in PEM Fuel Cells

Ce(III)‐Based Coordination‐Complex‐Based Efficient Radical Scavenger for Exceptional Durability Enhancement of Polymer Application in Proton‐Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells and Organic Photovoltaics

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