Micro And Nano X-Ray Tomography Of PEM Fuel Cell Membranes After Transient Operation

Garzón, Fernando H.; Lau, Siew Hock; Davey, John; Borup, Rod L.

doi:10.1149/1.2781026

Cited by 23 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…35,42 X-ray computed tomography (XCT) is a non-destructive imaging technique that allows visualization of interior features of solid objects, from which digital information about their three-dimensional (3D) structure and properties can be obtained. Both synchrotron radiation (SR) sources [43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54] and laboratory-based systems 42,[55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72] have been employed to perform XCT-based 3D visualization of PEM fuel cells. While the high radiation flux of SR facilities offers a high signal-to-noise ratio leading to rapid tomography data acquisitions, laboratory-based systems provide a more cost-effective and accessible alternative for regular use.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[43][44][45][46][47][48]51,56,61,62,[64][65][66][67]71 Using XCT for membrane analysis is more challegning given the relatively low X-ray attenuation of the polymer. Garzon et al 68 demonstrated that Pt redistribution from the electrodes into the membrane can be captured by XCT. Using nanoscale XCT, Lau et al 69 showed that the texture of a Nafion membrane may assume a preferred orientation following a start-stop experiment.…”

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confidence: 99%

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3D Failure Analysis of Pure Mechanical and Pure Chemical Degradation in Fuel Cell Membranes

Singh

Orfino

Dutta

et al. 2017

J. Electrochem. Soc.

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Lifetime-limiting failure of fuel cell membranes is generally attributed to their chemical and/or mechanical degradation. Although both of these degradation modes occur concurrently during operational duty cycles, their uncoupled investigations can provide useful insights into their individual characteristics and consequential impacts on the overall membrane failure. X-ray computed tomography is emerging as an advantageous tool for fuel cell failure analysis due to its non-destructive and non-invasive 3D imaging capabilities at ambient conditions. In the present work, post-mortem failure analysis of pure mechanical and pure chemical membrane degradation modes is performed three-dimensionally using this technique. A uniquely comprehensive analysis afforded by this technique reveals that membrane failure is almost exclusively characterized by crack formations during mechanical degradation and by severe thinning accompanied by electrode shorting and pinhole formation during chemical degradation, respectively. Catalyst layer cracks, particularly on the cathode side, are found to interact strongly with mechanically induced membrane cracks. The conjoint effect of chemical and mechanical stressors is established as a necessary requirement for: (i) exclusive membrane crack development independent of catalyst layer cracks; and (ii) crack branching during membrane crack propagation. Overall, the membrane failure analysis improves its reliability and quantitative character with the adoption of 3D imaging. The transportation sector is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions and with ever-growing concerns around the global warming effect, research and development of novel clean energy based automotive solutions is being pursued worldwide. Hydrogen fuel cells have thus far emerged as a promising alternative to fossil fuel based internal combustion engines due to their clean, noisefree, and efficient operation.1 Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells 2 are widely used in fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and supply electrical energy from the electrochemical conversion of hydrogen and oxygen (usually supplied as air) into water. In automotive applications, the fluctuating operating conditions due to vehicle dynamics, variations in loads and environmental conditions, startups and shutdowns, fuel starvation, contamination, and freeze-thaw cycles pose significant durability challenges for the PEM fuel cells. 3Understanding the specific durability problems and developing suitable solutions remains a key research focus in automotive PEM fuel cell technology research and is critical to the long-term and large-scale commercial adoption of this technology. Given the complex interplay of multiple physical phenomena that are simultaneously active in an operating PEM fuel cell, various deleterious factors affecting PEM fuel cell components can collectively lead to a gradual performance loss and eventual failure.In PEM fuel cells, the electrodes are separated by a polymeric membrane which allows selective tran...

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mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

3D Failure Analysis of Pure Mechanical and Pure Chemical Degradation in Fuel Cell Membranes

Singh

Orfino

Dutta

et al. 2017

J. Electrochem. Soc.

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“…66 Garzon et al used multi-scale 3D X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) to investigate the evolution of the CCL in FCs subjected to different accelerated stress tests. 67 Epting et al visualized the structure of CLs with a volume of 3 μm × 3 μm × 3 μm using X-ray CT techniques, as shown in Fig. 3h.…”

Section: Methodology For CCL Mass Transfermentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimized mass transfer in a Pt-based cathode catalyst layer for PEM fuel cells

Wang,

Teng,

Zaman

et al. 2024

Green Chem.

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“…After testing, the MEAs were removed from the fuel cell and dried. The MEA samples were then analyzed using micro-X-ray computed tomography (microXCT), Xradia, Inc (20). The MEA area imaged by XCT was 1×1 mm; the resolution was 2 ȝm.…”

Section: Mea Preparationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electrode Degradation of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells Evidenced by X-ray Tomography

Spernjak

Zelenay

et al. 2013

ECS Trans.

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The direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) offers a promise for portable power applications thanks to the high energy density of methanol, no need for fuel reforming, and an ease of fuel storage and refilling. However, the long-term performance degradation presents a challenge that has hindered DMFC commercialization. The focus of this study is on the degradation of Nafion ® -based membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) during continuous DMFC operation. The fuel cells in this work were subjected to 100-hour life tests using different methanol feed concentrations at different operating voltages (current densities). X-ray tomography was used to examine structural changes in the MEAs after life tests. DMFC performance degradation was found to be correlated to higher feed concentration of methanol as was the formation of micro-cracks in both the anode and the cathode.

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Micro And Nano X-Ray Tomography Of PEM Fuel Cell Membranes After Transient Operation

Cited by 23 publications

References 17 publications

3D Failure Analysis of Pure Mechanical and Pure Chemical Degradation in Fuel Cell Membranes

3D Failure Analysis of Pure Mechanical and Pure Chemical Degradation in Fuel Cell Membranes

Optimized mass transfer in a Pt-based cathode catalyst layer for PEM fuel cells

Electrode Degradation of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells Evidenced by X-ray Tomography

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