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Investigation of freeze/thaw durability in polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effect of different gas diffusion layers (GDLs) on freeze/thaw condition durability in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). Three kinds of GDLs-cloth, felt and paper type - with similar basic properties except thickness and bending stiffness were used. The changes in the properties and cell performance were investigated from the -30 to 70 C range of freeze/thaw cycles. The I-V performance degradation was observed to be negligible for the felt GDL whereas the cloth and paper GDLs showed a marked I-V performance loss. No distinctive correlation between the changes in electrochemical properties, such as active metal surface area, hydrogen crossover rates and decreased I-V performance, was observed except an increase in ohmic resistance revealed by ac-impedance spectroscopy. The physical destruction of electrodes was also shown by scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. The present study found that sufficient mechanical supporting force between the interfaces of materials enhances PEFC durability in sub-zero temperature conditions. (author)
Authors:
Lim, Soo-Jin; Park, Gu-Gon; Sohn, Young-Jun; Yim, Sung-Dae; Yang, Tae-Hyun; Kim, Chang-Soo; [1]  Park, Jin-Soo; [2]  Hong, Bo Ki [3] 
  1. Fuel Cell Research Center, Korea Institute of Energy Research, 102, Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-343 (Korea, Republic of)
  2. Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Sanmyung University, 300 Anseo-dong, Dongnam-gu, Cheonam, Chungnam Province 330-720 (Korea, Republic of)
  3. Fuel Cell Vehicle Team 1, Ecotechnology Center, Hyundai-Kia Motors Company, 104, Mabuk-dong, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 446-912 (Korea, Republic of)
Publication Date:
Dec 15, 2010
Product Type:
Journal Article
Resource Relation:
Journal Name: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy; Journal Volume: 35; Journal Issue: 23; Conference: Asian Hydrogen Energy Conference 2009; Other Information: Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Subject:
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; FREEZING; PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELLS; POLYMERS; ELECTROLYTES; DIFFUSION; LAYERS; FLEXIBILITY; PERFORMANCE; CORRELATIONS; SURFACES; HYDROGEN; ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY; IMPEDANCE; SPECTROSCOPY; ELECTRODES; MICROSCOPES; SUPPORTS; INTERFACES; WATER; MANAGEMENT; DECOMPOSITION; ELECTROCHEMISTRY; SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY; Polymer electrolyte fuel cell; Water management; Freeze/thaw; Durability; Gas diffusion layer; Stiffness
OSTI ID:
21368215
Country of Origin:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Other Identifying Numbers:
Journal ID: ISSN 0360-3199; IJHEDX; TRN: GB10V5275
Availability:
Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2010.04.079
Submitting Site:
GB
Size:
page(s) 13111-13117
Announcement Date:
Dec 21, 2010

Citation Formats

Lim, Soo-Jin, Park, Gu-Gon, Sohn, Young-Jun, Yim, Sung-Dae, Yang, Tae-Hyun, Kim, Chang-Soo, Park, Jin-Soo, and Hong, Bo Ki. Investigation of freeze/thaw durability in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. United Kingdom: N. p., 2010. Web. doi:10.1016/J.IJHYDENE.2010.04.079.
Lim, Soo-Jin, Park, Gu-Gon, Sohn, Young-Jun, Yim, Sung-Dae, Yang, Tae-Hyun, Kim, Chang-Soo, Park, Jin-Soo, & Hong, Bo Ki. Investigation of freeze/thaw durability in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJHYDENE.2010.04.079
Lim, Soo-Jin, Park, Gu-Gon, Sohn, Young-Jun, Yim, Sung-Dae, Yang, Tae-Hyun, Kim, Chang-Soo, Park, Jin-Soo, and Hong, Bo Ki. 2010. "Investigation of freeze/thaw durability in polymer electrolyte fuel cells." United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.IJHYDENE.2010.04.079.
@misc{etde_21368215,
title = {Investigation of freeze/thaw durability in polymer electrolyte fuel cells}
author = {Lim, Soo-Jin, Park, Gu-Gon, Sohn, Young-Jun, Yim, Sung-Dae, Yang, Tae-Hyun, Kim, Chang-Soo, Park, Jin-Soo, and Hong, Bo Ki}
abstractNote = {This study aims to investigate the effect of different gas diffusion layers (GDLs) on freeze/thaw condition durability in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). Three kinds of GDLs-cloth, felt and paper type - with similar basic properties except thickness and bending stiffness were used. The changes in the properties and cell performance were investigated from the -30 to 70 C range of freeze/thaw cycles. The I-V performance degradation was observed to be negligible for the felt GDL whereas the cloth and paper GDLs showed a marked I-V performance loss. No distinctive correlation between the changes in electrochemical properties, such as active metal surface area, hydrogen crossover rates and decreased I-V performance, was observed except an increase in ohmic resistance revealed by ac-impedance spectroscopy. The physical destruction of electrodes was also shown by scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. The present study found that sufficient mechanical supporting force between the interfaces of materials enhances PEFC durability in sub-zero temperature conditions. (author)}
doi = {10.1016/J.IJHYDENE.2010.04.079}
journal = []
issue = {23}
volume = {35}
place = {United Kingdom}
year = {2010}
month = {Dec}
}