Reduction of oxygen transport resistance in PEFC cathode through blending a high oxygen permeable polymer

Hutapea, Yasir Arafat; Nishihara, Masamichi; Gautama, Zulfi Al Rasyid; Mufundirwa, Albert; Lyth, Stephen Matthew; Sugiyama, Takeharu; Nagayama, Mayumi; Sasaki, Kazunari; Hayashi, Akari

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2022.232500

Cited by 12 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Nevertheless, it is worth noting that achieving a remarkable high performance may only be possible if enhanced diffusion is accompanied by a proper CL design in terms of high porosity and ionomer morphology. The increase in oxygen diffusivity shown in previous work is typical of order unity, so a disruptive increase in oxygen diffusivity may not be possible by solely altering the chemical ionomer structure [54,[70][71][72][73].…”

Section: Ionomer Diffusivitymentioning

confidence: 77%

“…The use of modified ionomers with enhanced permeability and good conductivity offers a viable route to improve performance at low Pt loading. Among available options, blended ionomers can be a satisfactory solution to produce tailored designs with balanced mass and ionic transport properties [70,71]. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that achieving a remarkable high performance may only be possible if enhanced diffusion is accompanied by a proper CL design in terms of high porosity and ionomer morphology.…”

Section: Ionomer Diffusivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Numerical Assessment of Mitigation Strategies to Reduce Local Oxygen and Proton Transport Resistances in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

García-Salaberri

2023

Materials

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The optimized design of the catalyst layer (CL) plays a vital role in improving the performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The need to improve transport and catalyst activity is especially important at low Pt loading, where local oxygen and ionic transport resistances decrease the performance due to an inevitable reduction in active catalyst sites. In this work, local oxygen and ionic transport are analyzed using direct numerical simulation on virtually reconstructed microstructures. Four morphologies are examined: (i) heterogeneous, (ii) uniform, (iii) uniform vertically-aligned, and (iv) meso-porous ionomer distributions. The results show that the local oxygen transport resistance can be significantly reduced, while maintaining good ionic conductivity, through the design of high porosity CLs (ε≃ 0.6–0.7) with low agglomerated ionomer morphologies. Ionomer coalescence into thick films can be effectively mitigated by increasing the uniformity of thin films and reducing the tortuosity of ionomer distribution (e.g., good ionomer interconnection in supports with a vertical arrangement). The local oxygen resistance can be further decreased by the use of blended ionomers with enhanced oxygen permeability and meso-porous ionomers with oxygen transport routes in both water and ionomer. In summary, achieving high performance at low Pt loading in next-generation CLs must be accomplished through a combination of high porosity, uniform and low tortuosity ionomer distribution, and oxygen transport through activated water.

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Section: Ionomer Diffusivitymentioning

confidence: 77%

Section: Ionomer Diffusivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

A Numerical Assessment of Mitigation Strategies to Reduce Local Oxygen and Proton Transport Resistances in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

García-Salaberri

2023

Materials

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“…Hutapea et al specifically examined an approach to enhance oxygen transport by blending a highly oxygenpermeable polymer, poly[1-phenyl-2-[p-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl]acetylene] (PTMSDPA), with Nafion (Figure 3d). [27] This blend showed reduction in OTR at the cathode, which was particularly important for high current density operation in PEFCs. Whereas the proton conductivity of the blend was lower than Nafion alone, its higher oxygen permeability improved PEFC performance considerably at higher current densities.…”

Section: Applicationmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Advancements As Both Proton-conductive Membranes and Ionomersmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Proton‐Conducting Polymers: Key to Next‐Generation Fuel Cells, Electrolyzers, Batteries, Actuators, and Sensors

Nagao

2024

ChemElectroChem

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The author summarized recent diverse applications and advancements for proton‐conducting polymers since 2018, emphasizing their importance in various technological areas. These polymers are integral to fuel cells, water electrolysis, energy storage systems, actuators, and sensors, offering high proton conductivity, chemical stability, and adaptability. The review elucidated aspects of specific applications, highlighting their roles in optimizing fuel cell efficiency and enhancing water electrolysis for hydrogen production, improving energy storage in supercapacitors and batteries, and explaining their emerging use in smart materials and robotics. Additionally, the paper presented discussion of the latest research trends, particularly from environmental and cost perspectives, specifically addressing the chemical modification of these polymers to enhance their functionality and to broaden their scope of application.

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Microporous Electrode Binders for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers

Khalid,

Plevová,

Bui

et al. 2024

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In anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolyzers, AEMs separate hydrogen and oxygen, but should efficiently transport hydroxide ions. In the electrodes, catalyst nanoparticles are mechanically bonded to the porous transport layer or membrane by a polymeric binder. Since these binders form a thin layer on the catalyst particles, they should not only transport hydroxide ions and water to the catalyst particles, but should also transport the nascating gases away. In the worst case, if formation of gases is >> than gas transport, a gas pocket between catalyst surface and the binder may form and hinder access to reactants (hydroxide ions, water). In this work, the ion conductive binder SEBS‐DABCO is blended with PIM‐1, a highly permeable polymer of intrinsic microporosity. With increasing amount of PIM‐1 in the blends, the permeability for water (selected to represent small molecules) increases. Simultaneously, swelling and conductivity decrease, due to the increased hydrophobicity. Ex situ data and electrochemical data indicate that blends with 50% PIM‐1 have better properties than blends with 25% or 75% PIM‐1, and tests in the electrolyzer confirm an improved performance when the SEBS‐DABCO binder contains 50% PIM‐1.

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Reduction of oxygen transport resistance in PEFC cathode through blending a high oxygen permeable polymer

Cited by 12 publications

References 42 publications

A Numerical Assessment of Mitigation Strategies to Reduce Local Oxygen and Proton Transport Resistances in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

A Numerical Assessment of Mitigation Strategies to Reduce Local Oxygen and Proton Transport Resistances in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

Proton‐Conducting Polymers: Key to Next‐Generation Fuel Cells, Electrolyzers, Batteries, Actuators, and Sensors

Microporous Electrode Binders for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers

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