Microstructure changes induced by capillary condensation in catalyst layers of PEM fuel cells

Ma, Liang; Liu, Zhong‐Sheng; Huang, Cheng Liang; Chen, Suhuan; Meng, Guangwei

doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2010.08.072

Cited by 17 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…A two‐dimensional (2‐D) finite element model was developed to simulate the evolution of defects in the PEM fuel cell, based on the cohesive zone modelling (CZM) approach 18, 19. CZM is a well‐known approach for modelling the delamination/crack propagation in composite structures 18, 19 and has also been recently employed for modelling the defects in fuel cells 4, 5, 12. Cohesive elements are interface elements which are developed based on CZM and are used to define the initiation and propagation of defects.…”

Section: Modelling Of Damage In Pem Fuel Cellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The delamination was placed at the cathode membrane/CL interface under the channel. This interface has been reported as one of the most vulnerable areas for the initiation of defect due to mechanical fatigue resulting from RH cycles 3, 5, 11, 12, 14, 16, 33. The cracks were placed in the membrane along its thickness as shown in the simplified illustration in Figure 3: at the centre and at a distance of L = t membrane /4 from the membrane/CL interface.…”

Section: Simulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mechanical stresses induced by temperature and relative humidity (hygrothermal) cycles during PEM fuel cell operation play an important role in the initiation and evolution of micro‐scale mechanical defects in the MEA 1, 4, 5, 9–12. The membrane swelling and shrinking in response to the humidity and temperature variations result in in‐plane compressive and tensile stresses in the membrane.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They showed how the fracture energy varies in the above mentioned layers and found that the damage propagation in the CL is highly influenced by the location of the crack. Ma et al 12 investigated the stresses induced by the capillary forces at the interface between a Nafion thin‐film and two Pt/C particles. They concluded that the capillary forces can be large enough to generate interfacial delaminations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They concluded that the capillary forces can be large enough to generate interfacial delaminations. These above mentioned studies 4, 5, 12 have provided valuable insight into the evolution of mechanical defects in idealized PEM fuel cells due to hygrothermal cycles; however, the evolution of mechanical defects in the MEA still requires a thorough investigation that includes the cracks and realistic loading regimes representative of operating PEM fuel cells.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Humidity and Temperature Cycling Effects on Cracks and Delaminations in PEMFCs

Banan

Bazylak

2015

Fuel Cells

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Temperature and relative humidity (hygrothermal) cycles during PEM fuel cell operation can lead to the introduction and exacerbation of micro‐scale mechanical defects. We developed a two‐dimensional finite element model based on cohesive zone theory to describe the delamination propagation at the cathodic membrane/catalyst layer interface due to temperature and hygrothermal duty cycles. Particularly, the effects of hygrothermal cycle amplitudes, relative humidity (RH) distribution profiles, and gas flow channel position were studied. It was found that doubling the hygrothermal cycle amplitude resulted in a 6‐fold increase in fatigue stresses, and a defect length growth to 0,1 mm before reaching the end of the fuel cell life (40,000 cycles). A counter intuitive result was also observed, whereby a crack located within the membrane was found to grow faster than a delamination located at the catalyst layer/membrane interface. When introducing an anode/cathode channel offset, a 2‐fold increase in the rate of delamination propagation was found compared to the case with the aligned anode and cathode channels.

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Section: Modelling Of Damage In Pem Fuel Cellsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Simulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Humidity and Temperature Cycling Effects on Cracks and Delaminations in PEMFCs

Banan

Bazylak

2015

Fuel Cells

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Structure, Property, and Performance of Catalyst Layers in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Zhao

Liu

2023

Electrochem. Energy Rev.

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Catalyst layer (CL) is the core component of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, which determines the performance, durability, and cost. However, difficulties remain for a thorough understanding of the CLs’ inhomogeneous structure, and its impact on the physicochemical and electrochemical properties, operating performance, and durability. The inhomogeneous structure of the CLs is formed during the manufacturing process, which is sensitive to the associated materials, composition, fabrication methods, procedures, and conditions. The state-of-the-art visualization and characterization techniques are crucial to examine the CL structure. The structure-dependent physicochemical and electrochemical properties are then thoroughly scrutinized in terms of fundamental concepts, theories, and recent progress in advanced experimental techniques. The relation between the CL structure and the associated effective properties is also examined based on experimental and theoretical findings. Recent studies indicated that the CL inhomogeneous structure also strongly affects the performance and degradation of the whole fuel cell, and thus, the interconnection between the fuel cell performance, failure modes, and CL structure is comprehensively reviewed. An analytical model is established to understand the effect of the CL structure on the effective properties, performance, and durability of the PEM fuel cells. Finally, the challenges and prospects of the CL structure-associated studies are highlighted for the development of high-performing PEM fuel cells. Graphical abstract

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Fuel cell durability under automotive driving cycles—fundamentals and experiments

Zhao

2023

Fuel Cells for Transportation

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Microstructure changes induced by capillary condensation in catalyst layers of PEM fuel cells

Cited by 17 publications

References 29 publications

Humidity and Temperature Cycling Effects on Cracks and Delaminations in PEMFCs

Humidity and Temperature Cycling Effects on Cracks and Delaminations in PEMFCs

Structure, Property, and Performance of Catalyst Layers in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Fuel cell durability under automotive driving cycles—fundamentals and experiments

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