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Published on: November 11, 2013
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Polymer electrolyte fuel cell performance degradation at different synchrotron beam intensities
1Electrochemistry Laboratory, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen PSI, Switzerland.
Journal of Synchrotron Radiation
|December 25, 2013
Summary
Polymer electrolyte fuel cells degrade under X-ray irradiation, with performance loss dependent on X-ray dose, not beam intensity. Degradation accelerates with higher temperatures and humidity, impacting electrode hydrophobicity and causing catalyst contamination.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Photon Science
Background:
- Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) are crucial for clean energy but susceptible to performance degradation.
- Understanding degradation mechanisms under external stimuli like X-rays is vital for operational longevity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the performance degradation of PEFCs under monochromatic X-ray irradiation.
- To determine the influence of X-ray dose, beam intensity, temperature, and humidity on degradation.
Main Methods:
- Studied PEFCs under galvanostatic and potentiostatic modes at the TOMCAT beamline (Swiss Light Source).
- Utilized monochromatic X-rays at 13.5 keV across varying beam intensities.
- Performed high-frequency resistance measurements and analyzed product water.
Main Results:
- Performance degradation is a function of X-ray dose and independent of beam intensity.
- Degradation rate correlates with X-ray beam intensity.
- Higher temperatures and gas feed humidity increase sensitivity to X-ray irradiation.
Conclusions:
- Dominant degradation processes include changes in electrode hydrophobicity and sulfate contamination of the electrocatalyst.
- X-ray irradiation poses a significant challenge to PEFC stability, particularly under specific operating conditions.
