The effect of water uptake gradient in membrane electrode assembly on fuel cell performance

Fujita, H.; Shiraki, Fumiya; Oshima, Yuji; Tatsumi, Tetsuya; Yoshikawa, Taeko; Sasaki, Tomohiro; Oshima, Akira; Washio, Masakazu

doi:10.1016/j.radphyschem.2010.07.033

Cited by 9 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…For a function-graded PEM, a gradient density of sulfonic acid groups along the membrane thickness direction is typically used as the definition [89]. In most previous studies, such partially fluorinated sulfonic acid membranes (part-FSAs) were prepared using irradiation methods, e.g., a low-energy electron beam (EB) [90,91]. The mechanism of improving the cell performance is the control of the membrane water uptake.…”

Section: Elecrode Optimizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fuel cell modeling and optimization

Lü

Song

Das

2023

Fuel Cells for Transportation

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Section: Elecrode Optimizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fuel cell modeling and optimization

Lü

Song

Das

2023

Fuel Cells for Transportation

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“…Moreover, the functional design of graded proton-exchange membranes along the membrane thickness direction has also been proposed by constructing a gradient density of sulfonic acid groups in most cases . New techniques, such as low-energy electron beam (EB) , or Xe 54+ heavy-ion beam (HB) irradiation, were carried out to achieve the required partially fluorinated sulfonic acid membranes (part-FSAs) to optimize the water transfer processes inside the membranes. However, the greatest challenge still lies in the graded design of catalyst layers because they are extremely thin and complicated, with multiple functions compared to other components of the MEA.…”

Section: Game Changers: Improved Transport Pathways Engineered By Nov...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding and Engineering of Multiphase Transport Processes in Membrane Electrode Assembly of Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells with a Focus on the Cathode Catalyst Layer: A Review

Deng

Zhang

et al. 2020

Energy Fuels

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The development of proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technology will give rise to a great evolution toward a more sustainable and eco-friendly life by powering clean electric vehicles or stations. However, several vital problems still hinder the commercialization of PEMFCs. The foremost issue is the high cost compared to the contenders, deriving from both the high consumption of Pt catalysts and low service life under practical operations. In this review, deeper investigations on how to further lower the cost of PEMFCs show the importance of understanding and engineering the multiphase transport processes in the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The definitions, rules, numerical simulations, and experimental validations of various mass transfer processes across the MEA are introduced to provide a holistic evaluation and enable optimization to improve the cell performance and reliability. In addition, because the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction in the cathode catalyst layer (CCL) requires most of the Pt catalysts, the oxygen/water-related multiphase transfer in CCLs is taken as a focus for detailed analysis. Several successful strategies, such as triple-phase boundary engineering, graded design, and novel ordered three-dimensional structure construction, are proven to be promising in greatly reducing the Pt consumption in the CCL and facilitating the microscopic multiphase transfer processes of the MEA. With optimized engineering of the electrode structure and configuration inside the MEA, the mass transfer resistances can be minimized to give the best operating conditions for electrochemical reactions to occur in the catalyst layers. Finally, the main challenges and some perspectives for developing advanced MEAs with lower cost in high-performance and reliable PEMFCs are provided.

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“…The FC performance of MEA was improved very much at the high current density. It was thought that the water uptake gradation could give a new function to prevent flooding at the cathode areas of the MEA during FC operation [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of PEFC Membrane based on Cross-linked PTFE by EB Grafting: Effect of Thickness for FC Performance

Hiraiwa

Yoshikawa

Oshima

et al. 2012

J. Photopol. Sci. Technol.

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The performance of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) was affected by the thickness of the thin proton exchange membrane (PEM). The PEMs with the different thickness were prepared by radiation induced grafting of styrene into the radiation-cross-linked polytetrafluoroethylene (RX-PTFE) membrane prepared from PTFE dispersion, and then sulfonated. The wet thicknesses of the obtained thin PEMs were lower than 25 µm. A PEM based on a 50 µm PTFE film, with the wet thickness of 73 µm, was also prepared under the same procedure for the comparison. The obtained PEMs were characterized in term of gas cross-over. The surface of platinum / carbon electrodes was coated with Nafion ® dispersion, and then membrane electrode assembles (MEAs) were prepared by the hot-pressing. The polarization curves and electrochemical impedances of the thin PEMs in a single fuel cell were analyzed. As a result, the cell performance of the MEA based on thinner PEM tended to give higher power density and current density. On the other hand, the performance of the thinnest PEM (13 m) decreased, and the MEA based on the thinner PEM gave the lower open circuit voltage (OCV) due to the higher gas cross-over. Thus, the thin PEM based on RX-PTFE had shown a high performance at the suitable thickness.

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The effect of water uptake gradient in membrane electrode assembly on fuel cell performance

Cited by 9 publications

References 9 publications

Fuel cell modeling and optimization

Fuel cell modeling and optimization

Understanding and Engineering of Multiphase Transport Processes in Membrane Electrode Assembly of Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells with a Focus on the Cathode Catalyst Layer: A Review

Evaluation of PEFC Membrane based on Cross-linked PTFE by EB Grafting: Effect of Thickness for FC Performance

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