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Patterned Membranes for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells Working at Low Humidity
Oliver Fernihough1, Holly Cheshire1, Jean-Michel Romano2
1Centre for Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
Polymers
|July 2, 2021
Summary
Micro-patterned membranes improve proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performance. The sharklet pattern shows significant gains at low humidity, boosting power density for better fuel cell operation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Energy Conversion
Background:
- Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) face challenges operating at low relative humidity (RH).
- Developing high-performance PEMFCs requires overcoming limitations in membrane performance under varying humidity conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of micro-patterned membranes on PEMFC power performance.
- To evaluate different surface patterns (lotus, lines, sharklet) for their effectiveness at various RH levels.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of micro-patterned membranes using solution casting and laser-imposed periodic surface structures (LIPSS).
- Testing PEMFC performance with patterned membranes at 100% RH and 25% RH.
- In situ membrane electrode assembly (MEA) testing to analyze high-frequency resistance, electrochemically active surface area (ECSA), and hydrogen crossover.
Main Results:
- All tested cathode electrolyte patterns enhanced fuel cell power at 100% RH.
- The sharklet pattern significantly improved performance at 25% RH, achieving 450 mW cm-2 compared to 150 mW cm-2 for flat membranes.
- Analysis revealed improvements linked to reduced high-frequency resistance and optimized ECSA.
Conclusions:
- Micro-patterning of PEMFC membranes, particularly the sharklet design, offers a viable strategy to enhance performance.
- This approach shows promise for enabling PEMFC operation under low humidity conditions, addressing a key technical challenge.
