Characterizing automotive fuel cell materials by soft x-ray scanning transmission x-ray microscopy
- Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4M1 (Canada)
- Faculty of Health Sciences Electron Microscopy, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5 (Canada)
- Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation Corp., Burnaby BC V5J 5J8 (Canada)
Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEM-FC) based engines are being developed rapidly for near-term implementation in hydrogen fueled, mass production, personal automobiles. Research is focused on understanding and controlling various degradation processes (carbon corrosion, Pt migration, cold start), and reducing cost by reducing or eliminating Pt catalyst. We are using soft X-ray scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) at the S 2p, C 1s, O 1s and F 1s edges to study a variety of issues related to optimization of PEM-FC materials for automotive applications. A method to efficiently and accurately measure perfluorosulfonic acid distributions was developed and is being used to better understand how different loadings and preparation methods affect the ionomer distribution in the cathode. Progress towards an environmental cell capable of controlling the temperature and humidity of a PEM-FC sample in the STXM is described. Methods for studying the 3D chemical structure of PEM-FC are outlined.
- OSTI ID:
- 22494382
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1696, Issue 1; Conference: XRM 2014: 12. international conference on X-ray microscopy, Melbourne (Australia), 26-31 Oct 2014; Other Information: (c) 2016 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AUTOMOBILES
AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
CARBON
CATALYSTS
CATHODES
CORROSION
DISTRIBUTION
ENGINES
HUMIDITY
MICROSCOPY
OPTIMIZATION
PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELLS
SOFT X RADIATION
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
X-RAY EQUIPMENT