Spray deposition of Nafion membranes: Electrode-supported fuel cells

Bayer, Thomas; Pham, Hung Cuong; Sasaki, Kazunari; Lyth, Stephen M.

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2016.07.059

Cited by 29 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…In this DMD method via ionomer dispersion on the GDE, the influence on the structure of the CL surface is not sufficiently understood. Recently, Bayer et al 27 fabricated an electrode-supported PEMFC by spraying Nafion dispersion onto the GDE surface followed by anode catalysts sprayed onto the Nafion layer. This electrode-supported PEMFC achieved a higher power density than conventional cells due to the low interfacial resistance.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Novel Approach to Fabricate Membrane Electrode Assembly by Directly Coating the Nafion Ionomer on Catalyst Layers for Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Yang

Han

Wang

et al. 2020

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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The fabrication art of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell strongly correlates to the cell performance. It has been recognized that defects, for example, high interfacial resistance between the catalyst layers (CLs) and the membrane or cracks in the CLs, may occur during the MEA manufacturing process. These defects could greatly influence the electrochemical performance of the fuel cell. To eliminate those defects and improve the cell performance, in this study, a novel fabrication approach of the MEA for PEM fuel cells is developed. With this method, the Nafion ionomer, employed as a PEM, is directly coated onto both the cathode and anode CLs. As a result, not only an excellent interfacial connection between the PEM and CLs is achieved with a low interfacial resistance, but also cracks are eliminated due to Nafion ionomer penetration into the cracks, forming hydrophilic channels with ionic conduction. Those ionic conduction channels improve the water management, lower the mass transport loss, and facilitate the proton transfer, thus maximizing the three-phase boundary and enhancing the utilization of Pt/C catalysts. By adding an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene film, a favorable mechanical property of the MEA is also achieved. This novel MEA exhibits excellent cell performance under low humidity conditions. Under the H 2 /air operation, the cell performance reaches a high maximum power density of 1.35 W cm −2 .

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Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Novel Approach to Fabricate Membrane Electrode Assembly by Directly Coating the Nafion Ionomer on Catalyst Layers for Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Yang

Han

Wang

et al. 2020

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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“…To realize a practical use of the fuel cell, the development of a robust interface between the membrane and catalyst layer (CL) is a critical issue in achieving a high electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) and reliable stability of a membrane–electrode assembly (MEA). Many previous reports have suggested improving the interfacial contact between the PFSA membranes and CLs with alternative fabrication techniques such as membrane patterning, direct inkjet printing, and spray coating. − Jeon et al defined shape-controlled patterns of the membrane to enhance the power performance of PEMFCs by increasing the specific membrane surface area for higher platinum utilization . Moreover, Klingele et al reported the direct deposition of proton-exchange membrane onto the electrode surface, enabling high-performance PEMFC with lower ohmic, charge-transfer, and mass-transport resistances due to an enlarged contact area between the membrane and CL …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Engineered Membrane–Electrode Interface for Hydrocarbon-Based Polymer-Electrolyte-Membrane Fuel Cells via Solvent-Vapor-Annealed Deposition

Bae

2019

ACS Appl. Nano Mater.

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We present a facile and simple method to fabricate a three-dimensional (3D) interface between a hydrocarbon-based polymer membrane and an electrode of a membrane–electrode assembly via solvent-vapor-annealed deposition (SVAD). SVAD not only increases the membrane proton conduction with nanophase-separated morphology but also reduces the interfacial resistance between the membrane and electrode with formation of nanoscale 3D interfaces. The enlarged interfacial area improves the power performance of fuel cells, originating from reduced interfacial resistances and increased electrochemical active surface area of the catalyst layer (CL) by ionomer impregnation into the tortuous nanopores of the nearest CL. Furthermore, the effect of the engineered 3D interface is investigated by measuring the mechanical durability by the wet–dry cycle and peel strength.

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“…This was expected to result in reduced membrane resistance and thus increased cell performance, without compromising fuel crossover. In previous work, we successfully reduced the cell resistance and improved the power density of PEFCs by spray-painting very thin Nafion, Aquivion, or graphene oxide (GO) ionomer membranes directly onto the electrocatalyst layer, creating electrodesupported MEAs rather than conventional membrane-supported MEAs (Bayer et al 2016c;Bayer et al 2017;Breitwieser et al 2017). Here, an MEA was fabricated by spray deposition of a Pt/C electrocatalyst layer onto a gas diffusion layer (GDL), followed by spray deposition of an 8 lm-thick layer of S-CNF, and then spray deposition of a second electrocatalyst layer on top of this.…”

Section: Fuel Cell Performancementioning

confidence: 99%

“…4c). This is attributed to hydrogen crossover either through cracks formed in the membrane during drying, or inhomogeneity in the carbon paper substrate resulting in pinholes (Bayer et al 2016c;Breitwieser et al 2017). Overcoming this issue is crucial in the development of thin-film nanocellulose PEFCs.…”

Section: Fuel Cell Performancementioning

confidence: 99%

Spray deposition of sulfonated cellulose nanofibers as electrolyte membranes in fuel cells

et al. 2021

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Nanocellulose is a promising new membrane material for fuel cells, with much lower cost and environmental impact compared with Nafion or Aquivion. It is mechanically strong, is an excellent hydrogen barrier and has reasonable proton conductivity. Here, sulfonation of cellulose nanofibers is performed to enhance the conductivity (up to 2 × 10− 3 S cm− 1) without compromising the membrane integrity, and fuel cells are fabricated with 30 µm-thick “paper” membranes. The hydrogen crossover current is two orders of magnitude lower than for Nafion fuel cells with equivalent thickness, but the power density is rather low. Spray-coating is used to deposit 8 µm-thick membranes directly onto the electrocatalyst layer, in a process analogous to 3D printing or additive manufacturing. The resulting paper fuel cell has high current density (> 0.8 A cm− 2) and power density (156 mW cm− 2) under standard measurement conditions (H2/air; 80°C; 95% RH; 0.1 MPa), attributed to decreased membrane resistance. The cost of the spray-painted cellulose membranes is calculated to be ~ 50 $ m− 2, which is much lower than that of Nafion, even without taking into consideration economies of scale. This new concept in electrochemical energy conversion paves the way for the mass production of affordable, recyclable fuel cells. Graphic abstract

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Spray deposition of Nafion membranes: Electrode-supported fuel cells

Cited by 29 publications

References 31 publications

A Novel Approach to Fabricate Membrane Electrode Assembly by Directly Coating the Nafion Ionomer on Catalyst Layers for Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

A Novel Approach to Fabricate Membrane Electrode Assembly by Directly Coating the Nafion Ionomer on Catalyst Layers for Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Engineered Membrane–Electrode Interface for Hydrocarbon-Based Polymer-Electrolyte-Membrane Fuel Cells via Solvent-Vapor-Annealed Deposition

Spray deposition of sulfonated cellulose nanofibers as electrolyte membranes in fuel cells

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