Synchrotron Radiography for a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Electrolyzer

Abstract

In‐plane synchrotron radiography with a resolution of a few micrometers was applied to study transport processes within a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer cell. The degradation process of the catalyst layer, gas production with bubble formation at the catalyst layer and in the porous transport layer (PTL) was analyzed. From this, a new cell design was developed that allows for high X‐ray transmittances at the membrane plane in the in‐plane viewing direction. During the measurement, a bubble growth and movement was observed. Furthermore, a detachment of catalytic material from the catalyst layer was detected. Afterwards, a post mortem EDX analysis was conducted to determine the position of the catalyst particles. Despite Iridium being initially used as the anode catalyst and platinum as the cathode catalyst, the EDX measurement revealed Pt and Ir particles on both electrodes following cell operation.

Mass transport in PEM water electrolysers: A review

“…• Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) [166,167] • Neutron imaging [65][66][67][68][69][168][169][170] • X-ray imaging [63,[171][172][173][174] • Optical imaging [50,56,[59][60][61] • Porous transport layer (PTL)-on-a-chip [175,176] • Acoustic techniques [71,177,178] widely [55,57,120,167,[179][180][181][182] or is not reported at all. A more systematic approach to the analysis of EIS spectra, comparable to established work for fuel cells [183][184][185][186],…”

In-Plane Transport in Water Electrolyzer Porous Transport Layers with Through Pores

“…Imaging techniques are powerful tools for examining mass transport behaviour within PTLs. [27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] Among a variety of techniques, X-ray imaging is particularly attractive for the high spatial resolutions (i.e. micro-scale) needed to resolve liquid and gas distributions within the PTL of an operating electrolyzer.…”

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell degradation model based on catalyst transformation theory

“…Therefore, the focus has shifted to the exploration of renewable power resources applications, such as wind power generators, solar panels, and fuel cells [1]. However, they are limited by territory and natural condition, and the manu-List of Abbreviations: AST, accelerating stress test; CNT, carbon nanotube; CV, cyclic voltammetry; DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide; ECSA, electrochemical surface area; MWNT, multi-walled carbon nanotube; PDF, probability density function; PEMFC, proton exchange membrane fuel cell; PHM, prognostics and health management; PRD, particle radius distribution; RUL, remaining useful life; SEM, scanning electron microscope; TEM, transmission electron microscopy; XRD, x-ray diffraction facturing of energy conversion equipment is expensive and environmentally unfriendly [2]. Unlike other applications, hydrogen fuel cells are totally nonpolluting as the reaction product is only water [3].…”