Nanostructure-transportation relation to PEMFCs activity and durability degradation

Chen, Huibing1,2,3; Chen, Ming4; Wang, Haijiang2,3

2024-11-01

10.1016/j.memsci.2024.123164

JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE   影响因子和分区

0376-7388

1873-3123

The Proton exchange membrane (PEM) is a crucial component in the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), playing a vital role in providing a channel for water transport and acting as a bridge for proton conduction. However, during the long-term operation of fuel cells, PEM is susceptible to attack from metal ions such as Cr3+ originating from the corrosion of metallic bipolar plates, leading to changes in its transport properties. Here, we report on the impact of Cr3+ on the microstructure and mechanical properties of PEM and then correlate it with changes in water uptake and proton conductivity, studying the effect of Cr3+ contamination on fuel cell performance and durability. The study reveals that Cr3+ forms a dense cross-linking structure with sulfonic acid groups inside the ionomer, resulting in an increase in storage modulus due to the larger ion radius and higher valence state, leading to a decrease in water uptake and proton conductivity. The membrane transport properties are primarily dependent on its water content. It is observed that Cr3+ contamination reduced the fuel cell voltage and maximum power density by 47.6% and 57.1 %, respectively, with a voltage attenuation rate up to 2.9 mV/h, nearly 14 times that of the uncontaminated condition (0.21 mV/h). These findings provide valuable insights for developing high-transmission PEMs and aid in predicting the degradation and lifespan of fuel cells under actual operating conditions.

Cr 3+contamination Sulfonic acid groups Cross-linking structure Water uptake PEM fuel cell degradation

SCI ; EI

英语

通讯

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Energy Materials for Electric Power, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China[2018B030322001]

Engineering ; Polymer Science

Engineering, Chemical ; Polymer Science

WOS:001294034300001

ELSEVIER

CHEMISTRY

Web of Science

1.Harbin Inst Technol, Harbin 150001, Peoples R China
2.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Mech & Energy Engn, Shenzhen 518055, Peoples R China
3.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Guangdong Prov Key Lab Energy Mat Elect Power, Shenzhen 518055, Peoples R China
4.PetroChina Shenzhen New Energy Res Inst, Hydrogen Energy R&D Dept, Shenzhen 518054, Peoples R China

Chen, Huibing,Chen, Ming,Wang, Haijiang. Nanostructure-transportation relation to PEMFCs activity and durability degradation[J]. JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE,2024,711.

Chen, Huibing,Chen, Ming,&Wang, Haijiang.(2024).Nanostructure-transportation relation to PEMFCs activity and durability degradation.JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE,711.

Chen, Huibing,et al."Nanostructure-transportation relation to PEMFCs activity and durability degradation".JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE 711(2024).