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Title: PEM Degradation Investigation Final Technical Report

Abstract

This project conducted fundamental studies of PEM MEA degradation. Insights gained from these studies were disseminated to assist MEA manufacturers in understanding degradation mechanisms and work towards DOE 2010 fuel cell durability targets.

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Montana State Univeristy, Bozeman, Montana
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE; USDOE Office of Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and Infrastructure Technologies Program (EE-2H)
OSTI Identifier:
990665
Report Number(s):
No number was assigned
TRN: US201209%%246
DOE Contract Number:
FG36-99GO10436
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
08 HYDROGEN; 30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; FUEL CELLS; MANUFACTURERS; TARGETS; PEM, Fuel Cells, Degredation, Hydrogen, Proton Exchange Membrane

Citation Formats

Dan Stevenson, and Lee H Spangler. PEM Degradation Investigation Final Technical Report. United States: N. p., 2010. Web. doi:10.2172/990665.
Dan Stevenson, & Lee H Spangler. PEM Degradation Investigation Final Technical Report. United States. doi:10.2172/990665.
Dan Stevenson, and Lee H Spangler. Mon . "PEM Degradation Investigation Final Technical Report". United States. doi:10.2172/990665. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/990665.
@article{osti_990665,
title = {PEM Degradation Investigation Final Technical Report},
author = {Dan Stevenson and Lee H Spangler},
abstractNote = {This project conducted fundamental studies of PEM MEA degradation. Insights gained from these studies were disseminated to assist MEA manufacturers in understanding degradation mechanisms and work towards DOE 2010 fuel cell durability targets.},
doi = {10.2172/990665},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Oct 18 00:00:00 EDT 2010},
month = {Mon Oct 18 00:00:00 EDT 2010}
}

Technical Report:

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  • The objectives of this paper are: (1) Develop a system capable of measuring current and voltage performance for each membrane in a Polymer Electrolyte Membranes (PEM) fuel cell stack and record the performance of each individual cell; (2) Develop a single cell PEM FC to allow in situ synchrotron x-ray measurements of the cell in operation and to perform spatially resolved x-ray measurements on fuel cell elements before and after degradation; and (3) Perform initial magnetic resonance microimaging experiments on membrane materials. The Montana State University PEM Membrane Degradation program is geared towards determining how and why membranes in fuelmore » cells degrade and fail. By monitoring every individual membrane in a fuel cell 2000 times/sec while the cell is subjected to real-world type use, we hope to: (1) cause the types of degradation users see, but in a controlled environment; (2) determine an electrical signature that will identify what causes failure, or at least warns of impending failure; (3) allows us to perform advanced x-ray and MRI characterization of the degraded membranes to provide information that may result in improvements of the membrane material; and (4) perhaps allow design of electronic control systems that will prevent fuel cells from operating under conditions where damage is likely to occur.« less
  • The Project focused on mitigation of degradation processes on membrane electrode assemblies. The approach was to develop a model to improve understanding of the mechanisms, and to use it to focus mitigation strategies. The detailed effects of various accelerated stress tests (ASTs) were evaluated to determine the best subset to use in model development. A combination of ASTs developed by the Fuel Cell Commercialization Conference of Japan and the Fuel Cell Tech Team were selected for use. The ASTs were compared by measuring effects on performance, running in-situ diagnostics, and performing microscopic analyses of the membrane electrode assemblies after themore » stress tests were complete. Nissan ran FCCJ AST protocols and performed in situ and ex-situ electrochemical testing. DuPont ran FCTT and USFCC AST protocols, performed scanning and transmission electron microscopy and ran in-situ electrochemical tests. Other ex-situ testing was performed by IIT, along with much of the data analysis and model development. These tests were then modified to generate time-dependent data of the degradation mechanisms. Three different catalyst types and four membrane variants were then used to generate data for a theoretically-based degradation model. An important part of the approach was to use commercially available materials in the electrodes and membranes made in scalable semiworks processes rather than lab-based materials. This constraint ensured all materials would be practicable for full-scale testing. The initial model for the electrode layer was tested for internal consistency and agreement with the data. A Java-based computer application was developed to analyze the time-dependent AST data using polarization curves with four different cathode gas feeds and generate model parameters. Data showed very good reproducibility and good consistency as cathode catalyst loadings were varied. At the point of termination of the project, a basic electrode model was in hand with several areas identified for improvement. Time dependence and the membrane portion of the model were not addressed due to cancellation of Phase 2 of the Project.« less
  • An investigation was conducted to determine the cause for the reduction in high temperature strength properties of graphite- and boron-reinforced epoxy composites following aging in room temperature environments. The types of resins tested are identified. The test procedures are explained. Tables of data and graphs are provided to show the effects on various materials. (GRA)
  • This is the final report of a reliability research program to study the response of amorphous silicon colar cells to accelerated temperature testing. The goal of the research was to utilize accelerated testing to identify failure/degradation modes and to relate them to basic physical, chemical, and metallurgical phenomena. Four types of single junction commercial modules were subjected to 140 C testing, both in the dark and under illuminated conditions. The before and after electrical characteristics of individual cells were measured and compared and correlated with physical evidence. A fifth module type could not be tested because of poor adherence ofmore » the films to the glass superstrate. A short term effect of stressing was noted which dramatically improved cells with low Voc on one type of construction. All cells eventually showed long term irreversible degradation, but the time to 50% Pm reduction varied by as much as two orders of magnitude depending on construction. No basic difference could be detected between degradation under illuminated or non-illuminated conditions, when cells were either open or short circuited. Comparison with one type of tandem cell and with published results of Japanese cell testing indicated the marked superiority of the tandem cell to all other types. Cells were examined physically by optical, IR, and scanning electron microscopy and by Auger spectroscopy, spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, and energy dispersive x-ray analysis. The long term degradation was felt to be due to localized penetration of aluminum through the amorphous film.« less