Optimization of catalyst layer thickness for achieving high performance and low cost of high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Xia, Lingchao; Ni, Meng; Xu, Qidong; Xu, Haoran; Zheng, Keqing

doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117012

Cited by 38 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…According to Tables 8-12, the current density is 0.237 A/mm 2 and 0.107 A/mm 2 at the position A in the case of using Nafion NRE-211 at T ini = 363 K and 373 K with A80%RH&C80%RH, respectively. To increase the current density in the case of a thinner Nafion membrane, this study suggests the optimization of the catalyst layer [9], MPL [45], and gas channel flow of the gas separator [10], not only in order to control the mass and heat transfer phenomena but also to improve the electrochemical reaction. We have to consider the degradation of the Nafion membrane if we operate PEMFC at a higher temperature than usual.…”

Section: In-plane Distribution Of Mass and Current Density On The Interface Between Nafion Membrane And Anode Catalyst Layer Or The Intermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to the literature on high-temperature PEMFC operated over 373 K, newly developed membranes which can be used at a high temperature include polybenzimidazolebased membrane [6] and bulky N-heterocyclic group functionalized poly (terphenyl piperidinium) membrane [7]. Regarding the development of new electrode, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) binder dispersion [8] and 3D numerical simulation for the optimization of electrode thickness [9] have been reported. In addition, the optimization of the flow channel of a gas separator [10] and multi-objective optimization of operating conditions [11] are popular topics being studied.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Numerical Simulation on Impacts of Thickness of Nafion Series Membranes and Relative Humidity on PEMFC Operated at 363 K and 373 K

et al. 2021

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The purpose of this study is to understand the impact of the thickness of Nafion membrane, which is a typical polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs), and relative humidity of supply gas on the distributions of H2, O2, H2O concentration and current density on the interface between a Nafion membrane and anode catalyst layer or the interface between a Nafion membrane and cathode catalyst layer. The effect of the initial temperature of the cell (Tini) is also investigated by the numerical simulation using the 3D model by COMSOL Multiphysics. As a result, the current density decreases along with the gas flow through the gas channel irrespective of the Nafion membrane thickness and Tini, which can be explained by the concentration distribution of H2 and O2 consumed by electrochemical reaction. The molar concentration of H2O decreases when the thickness of Nafion membrane increases, irrespective of Tini and the relative humidity of the supply gas. The current density increases with the increase in relative humidity of the supply gas, irrespective of the Nafion membrane thickness and Tini. This study recommends that a thinner Nafion membrane with well-humidified supply gas would promote high power generation at the target temperature of 363 K and 373 K.

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Section: In-plane Distribution Of Mass and Current Density On The Interface Between Nafion Membrane And Anode Catalyst Layer Or The Intermentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Simulation on Impacts of Thickness of Nafion Series Membranes and Relative Humidity on PEMFC Operated at 363 K and 373 K

et al. 2021

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“…membrane and catalyst [7]- [14]. Focused on the research to understand the heat and mass transfer characteristics in HTPEFC, some numerical studies have reported that the temperature-driven H 2 O transport in cathode GDL [15], optimization of electrode thickness to obtain higher performance without high cost [16], assessment of mass transport effect on the performance by 3D multi-physics modeling [17], optimization of GDL focusing the thickness of porosity by non-isothermal 3D model [18] and dynamic simulation for start-up process by non-isothermal 3D model [4]. Some numerical studies [19] [20] [21] have reported analysis on separators to optimize a gas channel considering the widths of top and bottom, e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Separator Thickness on Temperature Distribution in Single Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Based on 1D Heat Transfer

Nishimura¹,

Mishima²,

Kono³

et al. 2022

EPE

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It is known from the New Energy and Industry Technology Development Organization (NEDO) roam map Japan, 2017 that the polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) power generation system is required to operate at 100˚C for application of mobility usage from 2020 to 2025. This study aims to clarify the effect of separator thickness on the distribution of the temperature of reaction surface (T react ) at the initial temperature of cell (T ini ) with flow rate, relative humidity (RH) of supply gases as well as RH of air surrounding cell of PEFC.The distribution of T react is estimated by means of the heat transfer model considering the H 2 O vapor transfer proposed by the authors. The relationship between the standard deviation of T react -T ini and total voltage obtained in the experiment is also investigated. We can know the effect of the flow rate of supply gas as well as RH of air surrounding cell of PEFC on the distribution of T react -T ini is not significant. It is observed the wider distribution of T react -T ini provides the reduction in power generation performance irrespective of separator thickness. In the case of separator thickness of 1.0 mm, the standard deviation of T react -T ini has smaller distribution range and the total voltage shows a larger variation compared to the other cases.

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“…Sassin et al 26 reported that the thickness of CL can be increased to 11.8 μm from 3.8 μm in order to achieve a higher cell performance. Then the optimal anode and cathode CL thickness were further clarified to be within the range of 10 to 17 μm and 15 to 30 μm, respectively 27 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Then the optimal anode and cathode CL thickness were further clarified to be within the range of 10 to 17 μm and 15 to 30 μm, respectively. 27 Researchers also performed reconstruction simulation and experiments of HT-PEMFC with focuses on the catalyst distribution, carbon support, and ionomer content. 28,29 Uktam et al 30 investigated the impact of catalyst particle distribution on performance degradation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical study of triple‐phase boundary length in high‐temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Xia

Dai

et al. 2021

Intl J of Energy Research

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Summary Catalyst layer (CL) is the most important component in the high‐temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT‐PEMFC), as it offers reaction sites for hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) and oxygen reduction reactions (ORR). As the electrochemical reactions take place at gas/electron/proton interface, the length of this triple‐phase boundary (TPB) in the CL governs the rate of electrochemical reactions. As the TPB in the HT‐PEMFC has not been studied yet, a numerical non‐isothermal 3D model and a percolation micro model were developed in this work to investigate the effect of CLs' properties on both the TPB length and cell performance. The volume fractions, particle size, and particle size ratio of ionomer and Pt/C were selected for optimization. The results show that peak current density could be achieved at an ionomer volume fraction of 52%. Further improvement of cell performance requires smaller particle size and smaller particle size ratio of ionomer. Novelty statement A three‐dimensional non‐isothermal model of HT‐PEMFC was developed. By adopting the percolation model, length of triple phase boundary of HT‐PEMFC was successfully quantified. The particle parameters including the particle size and ionomer volume fraction can be optimized to increase the length of triple phase boundary, thus achieving higher cell performance.

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Optimization of catalyst layer thickness for achieving high performance and low cost of high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Cited by 38 publications

References 47 publications

Numerical Simulation on Impacts of Thickness of Nafion Series Membranes and Relative Humidity on PEMFC Operated at 363 K and 373 K

Numerical Simulation on Impacts of Thickness of Nafion Series Membranes and Relative Humidity on PEMFC Operated at 363 K and 373 K

Impact of Separator Thickness on Temperature Distribution in Single Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Based on 1D Heat Transfer

Numerical study of triple‐phase boundary length in high‐temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell

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