Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Degradation Investigations Using X-Ray Computed Tomography
Authors: Orfino Francesco P , Singh Yadvinder , Ramani Dilip , White Robin T , Eberhardt Sebastian , Chen Yixuan , Stoll Jonas , Dutta Monica , Kjeang Erik 
Published: July 2022

On-going research is aimed at commercializing low temperature fuel cell technology systems as zero emission alternatives for automotive applications in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. These systems use polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) to generate electricity via an electrochemical process using hydrogen and ambient air (oxygen) to produce water. Advantages of PEFCs include quick start-up time, low operating temperature, low weight, high efficiency, and relatively simple design. An important area of current research is the identification of factors which affect fuel cell performance degradation during operation and ultimately, its durability. A technique that has yielded new insights in the investigation and identification of failure modes in fuel cells is lab-based X-ray computed tomography (XCT), which is most advantageous due to its on-demand availability. The Fuel Cell Research Laboratory (FCReL) at Simon Fraser University currently operates Canada’s only facility for multi-length scale XCT, comprising of two state-of-the-art laboratory-based XCT scanners from Carl Zeiss X-ray Microscopy (Zeiss Xradia 520 Versa and 810 Ultra) with complementary resolution and field of view capabilities. This unique combination offers unprecedented access to investigations at multi length scales; with an ability to probe fuel cell components at the micro as well as the nano scale. Figure 1 illustrates the fuel cell holder and its orientation with respect to the X-ray beam as well as an exploded view of the miniature fuel cell design.

An overview of recent fuel cell degradation investigations at FCReL using the XCT technique will be shown. The XCT based workflow facilitates determination and quantification of material structure and properties changes resulting from degradation stresses associated with operational parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, and voltage. The non-destructive nature of lab-based XCT visualization coupled with the ability to scan the same fuel cell multiple times without inducing damage [1] has enabled detailed studies of fuel cell degradation evolution in four dimensions (3D space, 1D time) [2 - 4]. The new knowledge gained from this procedure has led to root cause identification with respect to membrane and catalyst layer crack initiation and propagation [5 - 7], sealing issues [8,9], and subsequent mitigation toward enhanced fuel cell durability.

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Canada Foundation for Innovation, British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund, Western Economic Diversification Canada, Canada Research Chairs, and Ballard Power Systems.

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Figure 1