Analysis of alkaline exchange membrane fuel cells performance at different operating conditions using DC and AC methods

Reshetenko, Tatyana; Odgaard, Madeleine; Schlueter, Debbie; Serov, Alexey

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.11.030

Analysis of alkaline exchange membrane fuel cells performance at different operating conditions using DC and AC methods

Journal Article · Mon Nov 13 00:00:00 EST 2017 · Journal of Power Sources

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.11.030· OSTI ID:1538529

Reshetenko, Tatyana ^[1]; Odgaard, Madeleine ^[2]; Schlueter, Debbie ^[2]; ^[3]

University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI (United States); DOE/OSTI
EWII Fuel Cells, LLC., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Pajarito Powder, LLC, Albuquerque, NM (United States)

We report membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) for anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) were manufactured from commercial materials: Pt/C catalyst, A201 AEM and AS4 ionomer by using an industrial mass-production digital printing method. The MEA designs selected are close to those recommended by US Department of Energy, including low loading of platinum on the cathode side (0.2 mg cm^-2). Polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were applied for MEA evaluation in fuel cell conditions with variation of gas humidification and oxygen partial pressure (air vs oxygen). The typical impedance curves recorded at H₂/O₂ gas configuration consist of high- and medium-frequency arcs responsible for hydrogen oxidation and oxygen reduction, respectively. Operation with air as a cathode feed gas resulted in a decrease in AEMFC performance due to possible CO₂ poisoning and mass transfer losses. At the same time, EIS demonstrated formation of a low frequency loop due to diffusion limitations. Despite the low loading of platinum on the cathode (0.2 mg cm^-2), a peak power density of ~330 mW cm^-2 was achieved (at 50/50% of RH on anode and cathode), which is substantially higher performance than for AEMFC MEAs tested at similar conditions.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: Office of Naval Research (ONR); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0006962

OSTI ID:: 1538529

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1549026

Journal Information:: Journal of Power Sources, Journal Name: Journal of Power Sources Journal Issue: C Vol. 375; ISSN 0378-7753

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Analysis of alkaline exchange membrane fuel cells performance at different operating conditions using DC and AC methods

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