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This report gives a brief overview to the state of the art of PEM fuel cell technology and a description of a newly developed fuel cell stack concept. One main research activity at the Westphalian Energy Institute of the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences is the development of PEM fuel cells, for which a range of different materials have been investigated for fuel cell pole plate construction. Whereas graphite is a material which has suitable properties concerning conductivity as well as manufacturing e.g. for milling, stainless steel foils are suitable for economical hydroforming processes. However, with steel coating is necessary to increase corrosion resistance as well as electrical conductivity. A new fuel cell stack design is currently under development using separated single fuel cells with hydraulic cell compression. The advantages of this stack concept are modularity, effective heat exchanging and constant, uniform cell compression which are further described in this work.
The membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) developed at the Westphalian Energy Institute are based on oxygen plasma activated carbon nanotubes (CNT) doped with platinum particles. For electrode preparation an ink is used containing the activated CNTs as well as hydrophobic and hydrophilic material in solved form. After this ink is sprayed onto a graphitic substrate platinum particles are deposited by pulse plating method, where the plasma activation enhances CNT dispersibility as well as platinum deposition. This materials mixture is structured in nanoscale with the aim to increase the catalyst particles’ specific surface. For low reactance at operation, homogeneous compression of the MEA’s layers is necessary within a PEMFC. A novel stack architecture for electrochemical cells, especially PEMFC as well as PEM electrolysers, has been developed in order to achieve ideal cell operation conditions. Single cells of such a stack are inserted into flexible slots that are surrounded by a hydraulic medium which is pressurised during operation in order to achieve an even compression and cooling of the stack’s cells. With this stack design it has been possible to construct a test facility for simultaneous characterisation of several MEA samples. As compression and temperature conditions of every single sample are the same, the effects of e.g. different electrode configurations can be investigated with the novel test system.
To further increase platinum utilisation in PEM fuel cells CNFs are investigated as catalyst support material due to the CNF’s high specific surface area. Furthermore, CNFs provide suitable properties concerning corrosion resistance as well as electrical conductivity in contrast to conventional carbon supports.
This work presents the results of an electrode preparation procedure based on O2 plasma activated CNFs. The plasma treatment leads to CNF dispersibility in alcohol/water for a spray coating process. Furthermore, O2 plasma activation enhances metal deposition on the CNF’s surface. Pulse plating procedure as well as wet chemical metal synthesis have been used for particle deposition. For pulse plating a potentiostat/galvanostat type MMates 510 AC from Materials Mates, Italy has been used. Electrode morphology has been determined in SEM type XL 30 ESEM from Philips, The Netherlands.
Membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) developed at the Westphalian Energy Institute for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are high tech systems containing various materials structured in nanoscale, at which electrochemical reactions occur on catalyst nano particle surfaces. For low reactance homogeneous compression of the MEA’s layers is necessary. A novel stack architecture for electrochemical cells, especially PEMFC as well as PEM electrolysers, has been developed according to achieve ideal cell operation conditions. Single cells of such a stack are inserted into flexible slots that are surrounded by hydraulic media. While operation the hydraulic media is pressurised which leads to an even compression and cooling of the stack’s cells. With this stack design it has been possible to construct a test facility for simultaneous characterisation of several MEA samples. As compression and temperature conditions of every single sample are equal, with the novel test system the effect of e.g. different electrode configurations can be investigated. Furthermore, the modular stack design leads to the development of hybrid energy applications combining fuel cells, electrolysers, batteries as well as metal hydride tanks in one system.
In this study, a novel design concept for PEMFC (polymer electrolytemembrane fuel cell) stacks is presented with singlecells inserted in pockets surrounded by a hydraulic medium. Thehydraulic pressure introduces necessary compression forces to themembrane electrode assembly of each cell within a stack. Moreover, homogeneous cell cooling is achieved by this medium. First,prototypes presented in this work indicate that, upscaling of cells for the novelstack design is possible without significantperformancelosses. Due to its modularity and scalability, this stackdesign meets the requirements for large PEMFC units.
In state of the art polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) rare and expensive platinum group metals (PGM) are used as catalyst material. Reduction of PGM in PEMFC electrodes is strongly required to reach cost targets for this technology. An optimal catalyst utilisation is achieved in the case of nano-structured particles supported on carbon material with a large specific surface area. In this study, graphitic material in form of carbon nanofibres (CNFs) is decorated with platinum (Pt) particles serving as catalyst material for PEMFC electrodes with low Pt loading. For electrode preparation CNFs have been previously activated by means of radio frequency induced oxygen plasma. This kind of treatment results in formation of functional groups on the CNF’s surface which directly influences the characteristics of subsequent Pt particle deposition. Different plasma parameters (plasma power, gas flow or exposure time) have to be set in order to achieve formation of oxygen containing functional groups (hydroxylic, carboxylic or carbonylic) on the CNF’s surface. In the frame of this experimental work, electrodes are investigated in respect of optimal morphology, microstructure as well as electrochemical properties. Therefore, samples were characterised by means of scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence as well as polarisation measurements.
Platinum is one of the most effective electro catalysts for PEMFCs (proton exchange membrane fuel cells), but because of its prohibitive price, the use of this metal in industrial purposes is limited. As a consequence, during last years, several materials have been investigated, in order to obtain an efficient catalyst for both ORR (oxygen reduction reaction) and HOR (hydrogen oxidation reaction), which can replace the expensive platinum but preserving the same properties: high electrical conductivity, structural stability and good corrosion resistance. Moreover, one of the most important parameters for catalyst materials is the electrochemical surface area (real surface area), which has a strong influence on the reaction rate and also on the current density.
CNFs (carbon nanofibers) are considered to be a promising catalyst support material due to their unique characteristics, excellent mechanical, electrical and structural properties, high surface area and nevertheless, good interaction with platinum particles.
The possibility of preparing CNFs decorated with platinum by electrochemical methods was tested, using a hexachloroplatinic solution bath. The experiments were carried out with the aid of a Potentiostat/Galvanostat MMate 510, in a three – electrode cell.
The aim of the present work was to determine the electrochemical surface area of the CNFs – Pt catalysts, using an electrochemical method. The obtained results correlate very well with the particles size and distribution of platinum, analyzed by SEM (scanning electron microscopy) respectively with the quantity of deposited platinum determined by TG (thermo gravimetrical analyses). Cyclic voltammetry is a suitable method for estimation of the real surface area for catalyst particles.
In polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) noble metal nano particles are deposited on graphitic supports serving as electrocatalysts for devices with high power density. In this study anodes are analysed with low platinum loading of about 0.1 mg cm-2. These electrodes are prepared by carbon nano fibres (CNF) decorated with platinum nano particles. For electrode manufacturing two sorts of fibres, which are produced in an industrial scale, are used with different graphitisation degree and surface area. CNF layers are applied on commercially available graphitic substrate by spray coating which leads to a porous structure with high surface area. Subsequently, platinum deposition is achieved by pulsed electroplating for an improved platinum utilisation in PEMFC electrodes. Spray coating and platinum deposition are assisted by a previous oxygen plasma activation process. Prepared anode material is characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and thermogravimetry (TGA). Electrochemical analyses (cyclic voltammetry and corrosion test) are carried out in 0.5 M sulphuric acid. The effect of graphitisation degree of carbon nano fibres on the performance of prepared electrodes is investigated in-situ in a PEM fuel cell test bench.
Im Rahmen eines gemeinsamen Forschungsprojekts mit dem Titel „Energieautarke Bohrlochsensorik mittels Brennstoffzellen – GeoFuelCells“ wurde vom Geothermie-Zentrum Bochum und dem Westfälischen Energieinstitut, unterstützt aus dem Förderprogramm Ziel 2 (2007-2013 EFRE) des Landes NRW, ein brennstoffzellenbasiertes Energieversorgungssystem für Bohrloch-Anwendungen entwickelt.
Im Rahmen der Energiewende ist eine Erweiterung der in das Verbund-netz integrierten Energiespeicher notwendig, um zukünftig die heute gewohnte Versorgungssicherheit trotz eines sehr hohen Anteils volatiler regenerativer Energieerzeugungsanlagen zu ermöglichen. Eine geeignete elektrochemische Methode zur umweltfreundlichen Zwischenspeicherung großer Energiemengen stellt die Wasserelektrolyse mit bedarfsorientierter Rückverstromung dar. Dabei können die dynamischen Einspeise- und Laständerungen im elektrischen Verbundnetz im besonderen Maße von Elektrolyseur- und Brennstoffzellen-systemen auf Basis von Polymer-Elektrolyt-Membranen (PEM) aufgefangen werden.
Bestehende PEM-Systeme sind vor allem in ihrer konstruktiven Zellgröße und ihrer maximalen Leistung bei der Wasserstoffproduktion bzw. der Stromerzeugung stark begrenzt. Vor allem inhomogene Verpressungen großflächiger planarer Zellen in einem klassischen, mechanisch verspannten Stack führen zu hohen Leistungseinbußen. Zudem ergeben sich bei kleinen Stacks aufgrund der geringen Zellspannung ungünstige Wandlungsverhältnisse zwischen Strom und Spannung für eine vor- bzw. nachgeschaltete Leistungselektronik. Ein neuartiges Stackkonzept mit segmentierten Polplatten bietet eine konstruktive Lösung für das Problem größerer aktiver Zellflächen und leistet einen Beitrag zur Entwicklung industriell einsetzbarer Hochdruckelektrolyseure und Brennstoffzellen.
Brennstoffzellen gelten in der Forschung als eine der saubersten Technologien zur Stromerzeu-gung. In den Zellen, die meist z.B. so groß sind wie ein Taschenbuch, werden Wasserstoff und Sauerstoff in einer kontrollierten chemischen Reaktion in Wasserdampf umgewandelt. Dabei entstehen elektrische Energie und Wasser. Im Gegensatz zu den meisten anderen Formen der Stromproduktion wird kein Kohlendioxid freigesetzt. Das macht den Wandlungsprozess der Brennstoffzelle sehr umweltfreundlich.
Der Elektroingenieur Prof. Dr. Michael Brodmann von der Westfälischen Hochschule sieht in dieser Technologie die Zukunft mobiler wie stationärer Energieversorgung. Autos mit Elektro-motoren könnten mit Wasserstofftechnik angetrieben, portable Elektrogeräte oder auch ganze Gebäude umweltfreundlich mit Strom versorgt werden. Jedoch ist die Herstellung und Wartung der Brennstoffzellen derzeit sehr teuer, weshalb am Markt Energiewandler auf Basis fossiler Rohstoffe weiterhin dominieren. An diesem Problem arbeitet Brodmann gemeinsam mit Dr. Ulrich Rost. Im Labor des Westfälischen Energieinstituts haben die beiden Forscher eine neue Zelle entwickelt, die effektiver und günstiger ist – und dabei auf ein bewährtes Patent und neue Materialien gesetzt.
Due to high power density and superior efficiency, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are believed to play a significant role for carbon dioxide emissions free electrical energy systems in the future. Unlike in Carnot processes, chemical energy in the form of hydrogen and oxygen is converted directly into electrical energy without a further process step. One issue in the development of PEMFCs for mobile or stationary applications is the utilization of rare and expensive catalyst material like platinum within the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) see figure 1. In addition, the objective is to reduce production costs and to increase the lifetime of PEMFC. One approach to improve PEMFCs is the development of intelligent electrode architectures. However, cost effective high performance materials are necessary to reach the development targets.
An energy economy with high share of renewable but volatile energy sources is dependent on storage strategies in order to ensure sufficient energy delivery in periods of e.g. low wind and/or low solar radiation. Hydrogen as environmental friendly energy carrier is thought to be an appropriate solution for large scale energy storage. In 2011 the NOW (national organisation for hydrogen in Germany) calculated the demand for hydrogen energy systems as positive (0.8 GW to 5.25 GW) and negative supply for varying power demand (0.68 to 4.3 GW) for the German energy economy in 2025. Due to its dynamic behaviour on load changes polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) as well as water electrolyser systems (PEMEL) can play a significant role for large scale hydrogen based storage systems. In this work a novel design concept for modular fuel cell and electrolyser stacks is presented with single cells in pockets surrounded by a hydraulic medium. This hydraulic medium introduces necessary compression forces on the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of each cell within a stack. Furthermore, ideal stack cooling is achieved by this medium. Due to its modularity and scalability the modular stack design with hydraulic compression meets the requirements for large PEMFC as well as PEMEL units. Small scale prototypes presented in this work illustrate the potential of this design concept.
Für einen Energiesektor, der zukünftig im hohen Maße auf erneuerbaren Quellen beruht, sind Energiespeicher unverzichtbar, um die heute gewohnte Versorgungssicherheit auch in Zeiten geringer Einspeisung aus Wasser, PV- und/oder Windkraftanlagen garantieren zu können. Da konventionelle Speichertechnologien wie beispielsweise Pumpspeicherkraftwerke durch fehlende mögliche Standorte in Deutschland nicht weiter ausgebaut werden, sind Alternativen notwendig. Es ist Konsens, hierfür emissionsarme Strategien zu entwickeln, um die gesetzten Ziele zur Reduktion von CO2 Emissionen zu erreichen. Neben Batterien, die vorzugsweise für Kurzzeitspeicher einzusetzen sind, bietet sich Wasserstoff als umweltfreundlicher Sekundärenergieträger an, der in großen Mengen gespeichert und in Brennstoffzellen mit hohem Wirkungsgrad emissionsfrei in elektrische Energie umgewandelt werden kann. Da elementarer Wasserstoff nicht natürlich vorkommt, ist dieser zuvor zu generieren. Überschüsse aus regenerativen Energiequellen können hierfür ideal genutzt werden. In diesem Beitrag wird ein aussichtsreiches Konzept für einen modularen Hochdruckelektrolyseur vorgestellt, welcher erlaubt, Wasserstoff bei einem hohen Ausgangsdruck bereitzustellen. Durch den prinzipiellen Aufbau, ist ein beliebiges Druckniveau am Ausgang nur von der mechanischen Stabilität der verwendeten Bauteile abhängig. Hierdurch ist es möglich, Wasserstoff direkt in einen Druckgasspeicher oder eine Pipeline zu produzieren, ohne einen zusätzlichen Verdichter nutzen zu müssen. Dies resultiert in signifikanten Kosteneinsparungen und verbessert den Systemwirkungsgrad zukünftiger Anlagen entscheidend.
For this experimental work gas diffusion electrodes (GDE) with low platinum loading are prepared for the application as anodes in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. As catalyst support material, carbon nano fibres (CNF) are investigated due to high specific surface area as well as high graphitisation degree. Optimisation is achieved by an economic and environmental friendly pre-treatment process in oxygen plasma. For electrode preparation an ink is used containing oxygen plasma activated CNFs as well as hydrophilic polymer. After spray coating of this CNF ink on a graphitic substrate, platinum is deposited by pulse plating method. Preliminary results established that the plasma activation improves considerably CNF dispersibility as well as the amount, respectively, the morphology of the deposited platinum. Morphology and microstructure are observed by electron microscopy. Platinum loading is determined by thermogravimetric analysis to be in the range of 0.010 to 0.016 mg cm-2. Furthermore, MEAs are prepared from these GDEs and testing is performed in a novel modular test stack based on hydraulic compression. Technical information about the test stack design and functions are given in this work. In this test environment maximum specific power output of 182 mW cm-2 has been obtained under robust operation conditions.
Bereits im April 2012 wurde im HZwei Magazin ein Stackkonzept für PEM-Brennstoffzellen vorgestellt, bei dem im Gegensatz zu der heute üblichen bipolaren Zellenanordnung mit mechanischer Verpressung Einzelzellen über ein Hydraulikmedium verpresst werden. Die Vorteile der homogenen Verpressung und Temperierung der Zellen wurden hierbei herausgestellt. Zwischenzeitlich ist basierend auf diesem Ansatz das Labormuster eines PEM-Elektrolyseurs entwickelt worden, bei dem der produzierte Wasserstoff oder auch der Sauerstoff mit hohen Ausgangsdrücken, z.B. auf einem für Power-2-Gas-Anlagen günstigem Druckniveau, direkt bereitgestellt werden kann.
This experimental work deals with the preparation and investigation of PEM fuel cell electrodes, which are obtained using Graphene Related Material (GRM) serving as catalyst support material for platinum nanoparticles. The applied GRM belong to the group of carbon nanofibers and exhibits a helical-ribbon structure with dimensions of 50 nm in diameter and an average length up to a few µm. Furthermore, utilized GRM provide a superior graphitisation degree of about 100 %, which leads to both high corrosion resistance and low ohmic resistance. Material stability plays one of the main roles for long term fuel cell operation, whereby a great electrical catalyst contact combined with high specific surface area yields in high fuel cell performances.
Prior to GRM dispersion and deposition onto a gas diffusion layer, the graphene structures are functionalized by oxygen plasma treatment. Through this step, functional oxygen groups are generated onto the GRM outer surface providing an improved hydrophilic behaviour and facilitating the GRM suspension preparation. In addition, the oxygen groups act as anchors for platinum nanoparticles which are subsequently deposited onto the GRM surface through a pulse electrodeposition process.
Membrane electrode assemblies produced with the prepared electrodes are investigated in-situ in a PEM fuel cell test bench.
Carbon Nanofibers (CNF) are considered to be a promising catalyst support material due to their unique characteristics, excellent mechanical, electrical and structural properties, high surface area and nevertheless, good interaction with metallic catalyst particles. The possibility of preparing CNF decorated with platinum by an electrochemical method was tested, using a hexachloroplatinic bath solution. The experiments were carried out with the aid of a Potentiostat/Galvanostat Ivium Technologies Vertex, in a three – electrode cell. The aim of the present work was to determine the electrochemical surface area (ECSA) of the CNF-Pt catalysts in relation to the functionalization treatment of fibers, using an electrochemical method. ECSA for different functionalized CNF-Pt catalysts was determined by cyclic voltammetry in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution. The highest active surface of platinum was obtained for the samples with CNF functionalized by plasma treatment using 80 W for 1800 s. The obtained results correlate very well with the particles size and distribution of platinum, revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the quantity of deposited platinum determined by thermo gravimetrical analysis (TGA) respectively. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) has been proven to be a suitable method for estimation of the ECSA of the electrocatalysts.
This experimental work deals with the preparation and investigation of PEM fuel cell electrodes, which are obtained using Graphene Related Material (GRM) serving as catalyst support material for platinum nanoparticles. The applied GRM belong to the group of carbon nanofibers and exhibits a helical-ribbon structure with dimensions of 50 nm in diameter and an average length up to a few µm. Furthermore, utilized GRM provide a superior graphitisation degree of about 100 %, which leads to both high corrosion resistance and low ohmic resistance. Material stability plays one of the main roles for long term fuel cell operation, whereby a great electrical catalyst contact combined with high specific surface area yields in high fuel cell performances.
Prior to GRM dispersion and deposition onto a gas diffusion layer, the graphene structures are functionalized by oxygen plasma treatment. Through this step, functional oxygen groups are generated onto the GRM outer surface providing an improved hydrophilic behaviour and facilitating the GRM suspension preparation. In addition, the oxygen groups act as anchors for platinum nanoparticles which are subsequently deposited onto the GRM surface through a pulse electrodeposition process.
Membrane electrode assemblies produced with the prepared electrodes are investigated in-situ in a PEM fuel cell test bench.
This work deals with the preparation and investigation of PEM fuel cell electrodes, which are obtained using graphene related material (GRM) serving as catalyst support for platinum nanoparticles. Applied GRM are used for the preparation of suspensions in four distinct mixing ratios. Two sorts of GRM have been investigated: carbon nanofibers (CNF) and graphene oxide (GO). Utilized CNFs provide a superior graphitization degree of about 100%, which leads to both high corrosion resistance and low ohmic resistance in PEM fuel cells.
For electrode preparation a GRM containing layer serving as catalyst support is applied onto a gas diffusion layer (GDL). Prior to GRM suspension and deposition onto a GDL, the graphene structures are functionalized by plasma treatment. Due to this step, an improved hydrophilic behavior for facilitating suspension preparation is achieved. In addition, a subsequent platinum nanoparticle deposition by pulsed electrodeposition process is optimized.
In the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) state of the art, rare and expensive platinum group metals (PGM) or PGM alloys are used as catalyst material. Reduction of PGMs in PEMFC electrodes is strongly required to reach cost targets for this technology. An optimal catalyst utilization is achieved in case of nano-structured particles supported on carbon material with a large specific surface area. In this study, graphitic material, in form of carbon nanofibers (CNF), is decorated with Pt particles, serving as catalyst material for PEMFC electrodes with low Pt loading. As a novelty, the effect of oxygen plasma treatment of CNFs previously to platinum particle deposition has been studied. Electrodes are investigated in respect of the optimal morphology, microstructure as well as electrochemical properties. Therefore, samples are characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction as well as X-ray fluorescence analysis. In order to determine the electrochemical active surface area of catalyst particles, cyclic voltammetry has been performed in 0.5 M sulphuric acid. Selected samples have been investigated in a PEMFC test bench according to their polarization behavior.
In this experimental work polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) electrodes are analysed, which are prepared by the use of two sorts of carbon nano fibres (CNF) serving as support material for platinum nano particles. Those CNFs, which are heat treated subsequently to their production, have a higher graphitisation degree than fibres as produced. The improved graphitisation degree leads to higher electrical conductivity, which is favourably for the use in PEMFC electrodes. Samples have been analysed, in order to determine graphitisation degree, electrical conductivity, as well as morphology and loading of the prepared electro catalyst. Membrane electrode assemblies manufactured from prepared electrodes are analysed in-situ in a PEM fuel cell test environment. It has been determined that power output for samples containing CNFs with higher graphitisation degree is increased by about 13.5%.
Platinum nanoparticles electrodeposition on carbon nanofibers (CNF) support has been performed with the purpose to obtain electrodes that can be further used especially in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). A pretreatment of CNF is required in order to enhance the surface energy, which simultaneously improves handling and wettability as well as interaction with the platinum cations. This step was performed using oxygen plasma functionalization. To produce CNF supported Pt catalysts, an electrochemical method was applied and the deposition parameters were adjusted to obtain nanosized platinum particles with a good distribution onto the graphitic surface. The morphology and structure of the obtained particles were investigated by scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy. The amount of deposited platinum was established using thermogravimetrical measurements. Cyclic voltammetry performed in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution was applied for determining the electrochemical surface area (ECSA) of the obtained electrodes.The functionalization degree of the CNF outer surface has a strong influence on the structure, distribution and amount of platinum particles. Moreover, the current densities, which were set for the deposition process influenced not only the particles size but also the platinum amount. Applying an oxygen plasma treatment of 80 W for 1800 s, the necessary degree of surface functionalization is achieved in order to deposit the catalyst particles. The best electrodes were prepared using a current density of 50 mA cm-2 during the deposition process that leads to a homogenous platinum distribution with particles size under 80 nm and ECSA over 6 cm2
For this study gas diffusion electrodes (GDE) with low platinum loading are prepared for the application as anode in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) systems based on hydraulic compression. As catalyst support material, carbon nanofibers (CNF) are investigated because of their high specific surface area and high graphitization degree. The electrode preparation is optimized by an economic and environmental friendly pre-treatment process in oxygen plasma. For GDE manufacture an ink containing oxygen plasma activated CNFs as well as hydrophilic polymer is used. After spray coating of this CNF ink on a graphitic substrate, platinum is deposited using the pulse plating technique. Preliminary results showed a considerable improvement of CNF dispersibility as well as an increased amount and an optimized morphology of the deposited platinum. Morphology and microstructure are observed by scanning electron microscopy as well as transmission electron microscopy. Platinum loading is determined by thermogravimetric analysis to be in the range of 0.01 mg cm-2 to 0.017 mg cm-2. Furthermore, MEAs are prepared from these GDEs and testing is performed in a novel modular fuel cell test stack based on hydraulic compression. Technical information about stack design and functions is given in this work.
In this experimental work we present a novel electrolyzer system for the production of hydrogen and oxygen at high pressure levels without an additional mechanical compressor. Due to its control strategies, the operation conditions for this electrolyzer can be kept optimal for each load situation of the system. Furthermore, the novel system design allows for dynamic long-term operation as well as for easy maintainability. Therefore, the device meets the requirements for prospective power-to-gas applications, especially, in order to store excess energy from renewable sources. A laboratory scale device has been developed and high-pressure operation was validated. We also studied the long-term stability of the system by applying dynamic load cycles with load changes every 30 sec. After 80 h of operation the used membrane electrode assembly (MEA) was investigated by means of SEM, EDX and XRD analysis.
The technology of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolysis provides an efficient way to produce hydrogen. In combination with renewable energy sources, it promises to be one of the key factors towards a carbon-free energy infrastructure in the future. Today, PEM electrolyzers with a power consumption higher than 1 MW and a gas output pressure of 30 bar (or even higher) are already commercially available. Nevertheless, fundamental research and development for an improved efficiency is far from being finally accomplished, and mostly takes place on a laboratory scale. Upscaling the laboratory prototypes to an industrial size usually cannot be achieved without facing further problems and/or losing efficiency. With our novel system design based on hydraulic cell compression, a lot of the commonly occurring problems like inhomogeneous temperature and current distribution can be avoided. In this study we present first results of an upscaling by a factor of 30 in active cell area.
This work deals with the preparation and investigation of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) electrodes, which are obtained using gas diffusion layers coated with graphene related material (GRM) serving as a catalyst support for platinum nanoparticles. PEMFC electrocatalysts have been prepared by pulsed electrochemical deposition of platinum particles from hexachloroplatinic acid. Prior to GRM decoration with platinum, the graphene structures are functionalized by oxygen plasma treatment. This leads to oxygen containing functional groups on the GRM outer surface, providing an improved hydrophilic behavior, thus favoring the Pt deposition process. Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) with the so prepared electrodes are investigated in-situ in our fuel cell test system. Polarization plots (in-situ cell performance) using these MEAs have been tested under different operational conditions.
Hochdruck PEM-Elektrolyse
(2017)
Performance enhancing study for large scale PEM electrolyzer cells based on hydraulic compression
(2017)
Studies on Pulse Electrodeposition of Pt-Ni binary Alloy For Electrochemical Cell Applications
(2018)
A compact and efficient PEM electrolyser stack design based on hydraulic single cell compression
(2019)
A systematic method for obtaining a novel electrode structure based on PtCoMn ternary alloy catalyst supported on graphitic carbon nanofibers (CNF) for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic media is proposed. Ternary alloy nanoparticles (Co0.6Mn0.4 Pt), with a mean crystallite diameter under 10 nm, were electrodeposited onto a graphitic support material using a two-step pulsed deposition technique. Initially, a surface functionalisation of the carbon nanofibers is performed with the aid of oxygen plasma. Subsequently, a short galvanostatic pulse electrodeposition technique is applied. It has been demonstrated that, if pulsing current is employed, compositionally controlled PtCoMn catalysts can be achieved. Variations of metal concentration ratios in the electrolyte and main deposition parameters, such as current density and pulse shape, led to electrodes with relevant catalytic activity towards HER. The samples were further characterised using several physico-chemical methods to reveal their morphology, structure, chemical and electrochemical properties. X-ray diffraction confirms the PtCoMn alloy formation on the graphitic support and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy highlights the presence of the three metallic components from the alloy structure. The preliminary tests regarding the electrocatalytic activity of the developed electrodes display promising results compared to commercial Pt/C catalysts. The PtCoMn/CNF electrode exhibits a decrease in hydrogen evolution overpotential of about 250 mV at 40 mA cm−2 in acidic solution (0.5 M H2SO4) when compared to similar platinum based electrodes (Pt/CNF) and a Tafel slope of around 120 mV dec−1, indicating that HER takes place under the Volmer-Heyrovsky mechanism.
Hydrogen produced via water electrolysis powered by renewable electricity or green H2 offers new decarbonization pathways. Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) is a promising technology although the current density, temperature, and H2 pressure of the PEMWE will have to be increased substantially to curtail the cost of green H2. Here, a porous transport layer for PEMWE is reported, that enables operation at up to 6 A cm−2, 90 °C, and 90 bar H2 output pressure. It consists of a Ti porous sintered layer (PSL) on a low‐cost Ti mesh (PSL/mesh‐PTL) by diffusion bonding. This novel approach does not require a flow field in the bipolar plate. When using the mesh‐PTL without PSL, the cell potential increases significantly due to mass transport losses reaching ca. 2.5 V at 2 A cm−2 and 90 °C.
For proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) to become competitive, the cost of stack components, such as bipolar plates (BPP), needs to be reduced. This can be achieved by using coated low-cost materials, such as copper as alternative to titanium. Herein we report on highly corrosion-resistant copper BPP coated with niobium. All investigated samples showed excellent corrosion resistance properties, with corrosion currents lower than 0.1 µA cm−2 in a simulated PEM electrolyzer environment at two different pH values. The physico-chemical properties of the Nb coatings are thoroughly characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). A 30 µm thick Nb coating fully protects the Cu against corrosion due to the formation of a passive oxide layer on its surface, predominantly composed of Nb2O5. The thickness of the passive oxide layer determined by both EIS and XPS is in the range of 10 nm. The results reported here demonstrate the effectiveness of Nb for protecting Cu against corrosion, opening the possibility to use it for the manufacturing of BPP for PEMWE. The latter was confirmed by its successful implementation in a single cell PEMWE based on hydraulic compression technology.