Morphological features (defects) in fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies

Kundu, Sumit; Fowler, Michael; Simon, Leonardo C.; Grot, S.A.

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2005.12.027

Cited by 197 publications

(112 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Given the limited availability and high cost of precious metals such as Pt, optimization of catalyst layer structure is of particular importance for large-scale PEMFC deployment. Evidence exists to show that catalyst layer imperfections such as a spot with restricted metal loading have a substantial effect on both membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) performance and durability [7,8,9]. This shows the importance of studies on catalyst layers in the larger context of PEMFC commercialization.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of Catalyst Layer Thickness on the Performance and Degradation of PEM Fuel Cell Cathodes with Constant Catalyst Loading

Darab

Barnett

Lindbergh

et al. 2017

Electrochimica Acta

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Three catalytic layers containing Pt nanoparticles supported on high surface area carbon of different Pt loading but with the same total amount of platinum and therefore of different thickness were employed as cathode catalytic layers (CCLs) in a PEM fuel cell. The layers were subjected to a degradation protocol with an upper potential limit of 1.5 V. Upon exposure to the degradation protocol particle size increased, the electrochemical areas (ECAs) of the catalysts decreased, the catalytic layers became thinner, and the average pore size decreased, indicating both carbon and Pt corrosion. The relative decrease in the ECA was approximately the same for all three layers and was therefore approximately independent of CCL thickness. For all samples the reaction order with respect to oxygen was one half and the samples showed doubling of the slope of the potential vs. log current curve (dE/d log i) at high current densities. This indicates that kinetics control the potential at low currents and kinetics and proton migration (ohmic drops in the catalytic layer) at high. However, the degradation protocol also introduced limitations due to oxygen diffusion in the agglomerates. This led to a quadrupling of the dE/d log i-slope in 13% oxygen in the samples with the highest catalyst area per volume. For the sample with the lowest catalyst area per volume this slope increased by a factor of six in 13% oxygen, indicating that the local current density exceeded that required for the Tafel slope of the oxygen-reduction reaction (ORR) to double.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of Catalyst Layer Thickness on the Performance and Degradation of PEM Fuel Cell Cathodes with Constant Catalyst Loading

Darab

Barnett

Lindbergh

et al. 2017

Electrochimica Acta

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show abstract

“…observed in the MEA, such as through-t he-thickness tears, pinholes in the membrane and delaminations be tween the membrane and electrodes [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. It is common ly believed that t he mechanical stresses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Time-dependent mechanical behavior of proton exchange membrane fuel cell electrodes

Santare

Karlsson

et al. 2014

Journal of Power Sources

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“…Although degradation is unavoidable, strategies have to be developed in order to minimize the degradation rates and to improve fuel cell durability. The causes for degradation are based on material properties and defects, assembly issues, operating conditions and maintenance procedures [1].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%