Elucidating the impact of the ionomer equivalent weight on a platinum group metal-free PEMFC cathode via oxygen limiting current

Wang, Hao; Osmieri, Luigi; Yu, Haoran; Zachman, Michael J.; Park, Jae Hyung; Kariuki, Nancy N.; Cetinbas, Firat C.; Khandavalli, Sunilkumar; Mauger, Scott; Myers, Deborah J.; Cullen, David A.; Neyerlin, Kenneth C.

doi:10.1002/sus2.106

Elucidating the impact of the ionomer equivalent weight on a platinum group metal-free PEMFC cathode via oxygen limiting current

Journal Article · Mon Dec 26 00:00:00 EST 2022 · SusMat (Online)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/sus2.106· OSTI ID:1908040

Wang, Hao ^[1]; ^[1]; ^[2]; ^[2]; Park, Jae Hyung ^[3]; Kariuki, Nancy N. ^[3]; Cetinbas, Firat C. ^[3]; ^[1]; Mauger, Scott ^[1]; Myers, Deborah J. ^[3]; ^[2]; Neyerlin, Kenneth C. ^[1]

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States). Chemistry and Nanoscience Center
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Lemont, IL (United States)

Leveraging the interactions between ionomer and catalyst can increase the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The impacts of the equivalent weight (EW) of perfluorosulfonic acid–based ionomers on the platinum group metal-free electrode structure and fuel cell performance have not been fully explored. Four membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) were prepared by using a commercial Fe–N–C catalyst, two perfluorosulfonic acid ionomers with different EWs, that is, Aquivion 720 (A720) and Nafion 1100 (N1100), and two ionomer-to-catalyst (I/C) ratios. The four MEAs were characterized to understand the impact of the ionomer EW and content on the capacitance, proton conductivity, and mass transport on the cathode. The mass transport resistance was measured for the first time using a new oxygen reduction reaction limiting current method enabling to couple the effects of oxygen diffusion with liquid water generation. Low EW ionomer combined with a moderate I/C results in improved performance due to its enhanced proton conductivity. However, when used at high I/C, it can cause severe water flooding at high current density due to the enhanced liquid water uptake, especially at high relative humidity, resulting in lower catalyst utilization and higher mass transport resistance.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Lemont, IL (United States); National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE); USDOE Office of Science (SC)

Contributing Organization:: Electrocatalysis Consortium (ElectroCat)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357; AC05-00OR22725; AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 1908040

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1959960

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA-5900-85471

Journal Information:: SusMat (Online), Journal Name: SusMat (Online) Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 3; ISSN 2692-4552

Publisher:: WileyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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