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Turtayeva Z, Xu F, Dillet J, Mozet K, Peignier R, Celzard A, Maranzana G. Investigation of membranes-electrodes assemblies in anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs): Influence of ionomer ratio in catalyst layers. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29622. [PMID: 38681565 PMCID: PMC11046124 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) have recently attracted significant attention as low-cost alternative fuel cells to traditional proton exchange membrane fuel cells because of the possible use of platinum-group metal-free electrocatalysts. Over the past decade, new materials dedicated to the alkaline medium, such as anion exchange membranes (AEMs) and anion exchange ionomers (AEIs), have been developed and studied in AEMFCs. However, only a few AEMs and AEIs are commercially available, and there are no ready-to-use membrane electrodes assemblies (MEAs) with the desired AEMs and AEIs. Consequently, the need to manufacture in-house CCMs or GDEs becomes a reality that we must face. This work deals with the influence of ionomer content on the prepared MEAs with the commercial anion exchange membrane and ionomer from Aemion™ Ionomr Innovations AF1-HNN8-2 and AP1-ENN8/HNN8 respectively and by varying the support (gas diffusion layer or membrane). The prepared MEAs were characterized morphologically by SEM and profilometry, as well as electrochemically by AEMFC polarization curves and cyclic voltammetry. In addition, an attempt to investigate water management was made with and without a reference electrode in the cell to understand the behavior of water in an operating AEMFC. Our results show that CCM-based MEAs can undergo deformation during the anion conversion step, leading to weakening of the membrane and hence faster degradation in the fuel cell. On the contrary, no deformation was observed for the GDEs during the anionic conversion, although the results are poorer due to (i) poor interface contact between membrane and GDE that depends on ionomer ratio in the ink and (ii) a high overpotential at the anode due to the production of water that cannot be effectively evacuated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zarina Turtayeva
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LEMTA, F-54000, Nancy, France
- Electrochemistry Laboratory, Paul Scherrer Institut, PSI, 5232, Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Feina Xu
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LEMTA, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Jérôme Dillet
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LEMTA, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Kévin Mozet
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LEMTA, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Régis Peignier
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, IJL, 88000, Épinal, France
| | - Alain Celzard
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, IJL, 88000, Épinal, France
| | - Gaël Maranzana
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LEMTA, F-54000, Nancy, France
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Favero S, Stephens IEL, Titirci MM. Anion Exchange Ionomers: Design Considerations and Recent Advances - An Electrochemical Perspective. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2308238. [PMID: 37891006 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202308238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Alkaline-based electrochemical devices, such as anion exchange membrane (AEM) fuel cells and electrolyzers, are receiving increasing attention. However, while the catalysts and membrane are methodically studied, the ionomer is largely overlooked. In fact, most of the studies in alkaline electrolytes are conducted using the commercial proton exchange ionomer Nafion. The ionomer provides ionic conductivity; it is also essential for gas transport and water management, as well as for controlling the mechanical stability and the morphology of the catalyst layer. Moreover, the ionomer has distinct requirements that differ from those of anion-exchange membranes, such as a high gas permeability, and that depend on the specific electrode, such as water management. As a result, it is necessary to tailor the ionomer structure to the specific application in isolation and as part of the catalyst layer. In this review, an overview of the current state of the art for anion exchange ionomers is provided, summarizing their specific requirements and limitations in the context of AEM electrolyzers and fuel cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Favero
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, England, SW7 2BU, UK
| | - Ifan E L Stephens
- Department of Materials, Imperial College London, England, SW7 2BU, UK
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Korchagin O, Bogdanovskaya V, Vernigor I, Radina M, Stenina I, Yaroslavtsev A. Development of Hydrogen-Oxygen Fuel Cells Based on Anion-Exchange Electrolytes and Catalysts with Reduced Platinum Content. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:669. [PMID: 37505035 PMCID: PMC10383164 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13070669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Studies have been carried out to optimize the composition, formation technique and test conditions of membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) of hydrogen-oxygen anion-exchange membranes fuel cells (AEMFC), based on Fumatech anion-exchange membranes. A non-platinum catalytic system based on nitrogen-doped CNT (CNTN) was used in the cathode. PtMo/CNTN catalysts with a reduced content of platinum (10-12 wt.% Pt) were compared with 10 and 60 wt.% Pt/CNTN at the anode. According to the results of studies under model conditions, it was found that the PtMo/CNTN catalyst is significantly superior to the 10 and 60 wt.% Pt/CNTN catalyst in terms of activity in the hydrogen oxidation reaction based on the mass of platinum. The addition of the Fumion ionomer results in minor changes in the electrochemically active surface area and activity in the hydrogen oxidation reaction for each of the catalysts. In this case, the introduction of ionomer-Fumion leads to a partial blocking of the outer surface and the micropore surface, which is most pronounced in the case of the 60Pt/CNTN catalyst. This effect can cause a decrease in the characteristics of MEA AEMFC upon passing from 10PtMo/CNTN to 60Pt/CNTN in the anode active layer. The maximum power density of the optimized MEA based on 10PtMo/CNTN was 62 mW cm-2, which exceeds the literature data obtained under similar test conditions for MEA based on platinum cathode and anode catalysts and Fumatech membranes (41 mW cm-2). A new result of this work is the study of the effect of the ionomer (Fumion) on the characteristics of catalysts. It is shown that the synthesized 10PtMo/CNTN catalyst retains high activity in the presence of an ionomer under model conditions and in the MEA based on it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleg Korchagin
- Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vera Bogdanovskaya
- Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Inna Vernigor
- Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina Radina
- Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina Stenina
- Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey Yaroslavtsev
- Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
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Roschger M, Wolf S, Billiani A, Mayer K, Hren M, Gorgieva S, Genorio B, Hacker V. Study on Commercially Available Membranes for Alkaline Direct Ethanol Fuel Cells. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:20845-20857. [PMID: 37332806 PMCID: PMC10269243 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c01564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
This study provides a comparison of different commercially available low-cost anion exchange membranes (AEMs), a microporous separator, a cation exchange membrane (CEM), and an anionic-treated CEM for their application in the liquid-feed alkaline direct ethanol fuel cell (ADEFC). Moreover, the effect on performance was evaluated taking two different modes of operation for the ADEFC, with AEM or CEM, into consideration. The membranes were compared with respect to their physical and chemical properties, such as thermal and chemical stability, ion-exchange capacity, ionic conductivity, and ethanol permeability. The influence of these factors on performance and resistance was determined by means of polarization curve and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) measurements in the ADEFC. In addition, the influence of two different commercial ionomers on the structure and transport properties of the catalyst layer and on the performance were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy, single cell tests, and EIS. The applicability barriers of the membranes were pointed out, and the ideal combinations of membrane and ionomer for the liquid-feed ADEFC achieved power densities of approximately 80 mW cm-2 at 80 °C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Roschger
- Institute
of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 25/C, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Sigrid Wolf
- Institute
of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 25/C, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas Billiani
- Institute
of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 25/C, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Kurt Mayer
- Institute
of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 25/C, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Maša Hren
- Faculty
of Mechanical Engineering, University of
Maribor, Smetanova Ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Selestina Gorgieva
- Faculty
of Mechanical Engineering, University of
Maribor, Smetanova Ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Boštjan Genorio
- Faculty
of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University
of Ljubljana, Večna
Pot 113, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Viktor Hacker
- Institute
of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 25/C, 8010 Graz, Austria
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Gatto I, Patti A, Carbone A. Assessment of the FAA3‐50 Polymer Electrolyte for Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells. ChemElectroChem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.202201052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Irene Gatto
- Institute for Advanced Energy Technologies “Nicola Giordano” – CNR-ITAE Via S. Lucia sopra Contesse 5 98126 Messina Italy
| | - Assunta Patti
- Institute for Advanced Energy Technologies “Nicola Giordano” – CNR-ITAE Via S. Lucia sopra Contesse 5 98126 Messina Italy
| | - Alessandra Carbone
- Institute for Advanced Energy Technologies “Nicola Giordano” – CNR-ITAE Via S. Lucia sopra Contesse 5 98126 Messina Italy
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Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion and Storage Devices. Catalysts 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/catal11121491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Energy’s efficient conversion and storage are closely correlated to the development of electrochemical energy technologies, such as fuel cells, batteries, electrolyzers, etc [...]
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The impact of the catalyst layer structure on the performance of anion exchange membrane fuel cell. Electrochim Acta 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.139439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Gatto I, Saccà A, Sebastián D, Baglio V, Aricò AS, Oldani C, Merlo L, Carbone A. Influence of Ionomer Content in the Catalytic Layer of MEAs Based on Aquivion ® Ionomer. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13213832. [PMID: 34771388 PMCID: PMC8587568 DOI: 10.3390/polym13213832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Perfluorinated sulfonic acid (PFSA) polymers such as Nafion® are widely used for both electrolyte membranes and ionomers in the catalytic layer of membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs) because of their high protonic conductivity, σH, as well as chemical and thermal stability. The use of PFSA polymers with shorter side chains and lower equivalent weight (EW) than Nafion®, such as Aquivion® PFSA ionomers, is a valid approach to improve fuel cell performance and stability under drastic operative conditions such as those related to automotive applications. In this context, it is necessary to optimize the composition of the catalytic ink, according to the different ionomer characteristics. In this work, the influence of the ionomer amount in the catalytic layer was studied, considering the dispersing agent used to prepare the electrode (water or ethanol). Electrochemical studies were carried out in a single cell in the presence of H2-air, at intermediate temperatures (80-95 °C), low pressure, and reduced humidity ((50% RH). %). The best fuel cell performance was found for 26 wt.% Aquivion® at the electrodes using ethanol for the ink preparation, associated to a maximum catalyst utilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Gatto
- CNR-ITAE, Institute for Advanced Energy Technologies “N. Giordano”, Via Salita S. Lucia sopra Contesse 5, 98125 Messina, Italy; (A.S.); (V.B.); (A.S.A.); (A.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-090-624-231; Fax: +39-090-624-247
| | - Ada Saccà
- CNR-ITAE, Institute for Advanced Energy Technologies “N. Giordano”, Via Salita S. Lucia sopra Contesse 5, 98125 Messina, Italy; (A.S.); (V.B.); (A.S.A.); (A.C.)
| | - David Sebastián
- Instituto de Carboquímica, CSIC, Miguel Luesma Castán 4, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain;
| | - Vincenzo Baglio
- CNR-ITAE, Institute for Advanced Energy Technologies “N. Giordano”, Via Salita S. Lucia sopra Contesse 5, 98125 Messina, Italy; (A.S.); (V.B.); (A.S.A.); (A.C.)
| | - Antonino Salvatore Aricò
- CNR-ITAE, Institute for Advanced Energy Technologies “N. Giordano”, Via Salita S. Lucia sopra Contesse 5, 98125 Messina, Italy; (A.S.); (V.B.); (A.S.A.); (A.C.)
| | - Claudio Oldani
- Solvay Specialty Polymers, Viale Lombardia 20, 20021 Bollate, Italy; (C.O.); (L.M.)
| | - Luca Merlo
- Solvay Specialty Polymers, Viale Lombardia 20, 20021 Bollate, Italy; (C.O.); (L.M.)
| | - Alessandra Carbone
- CNR-ITAE, Institute for Advanced Energy Technologies “N. Giordano”, Via Salita S. Lucia sopra Contesse 5, 98125 Messina, Italy; (A.S.); (V.B.); (A.S.A.); (A.C.)
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