Improvement of durability of membrane electrode assembly by frame sealing structure in temperature shock

Abstract

The frame of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) influences the durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). In this paper, the thermal shock bench was applied as an accelerated aging test to explore the effect of frame sealing structure on MEA durability at different temperatures. Analysis of scanning electron microscope (SEM) images reveals that thermal shock results in the formation of cracks on the exposed proton exchange membrane (PEM) at the gap between the frame and the active area. Moreover, it breaks the bonding interface between the frame and the membrane and leads to the debonding of the adhesive, which exacerbates the risk of crossover of the reactant gas. A comparison of the single-layer and improved double-layer frame structures reveal that the mechanical damage is caused by frequent membrane wrinkles in the gap under temperature shock. However, addition of a cushion layer improves the continuity between the frame and the active area, and reduces deformation of the membrane, thereby preventing membrane damage.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

frame / fuel cells / membrane electrode assembly (MEA) / membrane / thermal shock

References

[1] Ouyang M G . Chinese strategies and countermeasures for energy saving and vehicles with new types energy. Automotive Engineering, 2006, 28(4): 317–321

[2] ZhaoH GLiJZhangH K, . Development status and prospect of power lithium-ion battery and fuel cell. Chinese Battery Industry, 2017, 21(2): 46–50 (in Chinese)

[3] LiJ QFangCXuL F. Current status and trends of the research and development for fuel cell vehicles. Journal Of Automotive Safety And Energy, 2014, 5(1): 17–29 (in Chinese)

[4] Li B , Kim Y S , Mukundan R . . Mixed hydrocarbon/fluoropolymer membrane/ionomer MEAs for durability studies. ECS Transactions, 2010, 33(1): 913–924

[5] Wu B B , Zhao M , Shi W . . The degradation study of Nafion/PTFE composite membrane in PEM fuel cell under accelerated stress tests. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2014, 39(26): 14381–14390

[6] GoebelSGasteigerH ASompalliB, . Catalyst layer edge protection for enhanced MEA durability in PEM fuel cells. US Patent, 7713644, 2010–5-11

[7] USDepartment of Energy. Multiyear research development and demonstration plan: Planned program activities for 2011–2020. 2017, available at the website of US Department of Energy

[8] Ye D , Zhan Z . A review on the sealing structures of membrane electrode assembly of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Journal of Power Sources, 2013, 231: 285–292

[9] Ye D H , Zhan Z G , Lee Y J . . Effects of frame materials and structures on stress concentration of membrane electrode assembly of PEMFCs. Fuel Cells, 2013, 13(6): 1205–1212

[10] Qiu D , Peng L , Liang P . . Mechanical degradation of proton exchange membrane along the MEA frame in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Energy, 2018, 165: 210–222

[11] Kusoglu A , Karlsson A M , Santare M H . . Mechanical behavior of fuel cell membranes under humidity cycles and effect of swelling anisotropy on the fatigue stresses. Journal of Power Sources, 2007, 170(2): 345–358

[12] Kusoglu A , Santare M H , Karlsson A M . Aspects of fatigue failure mechanisms in polymer fuel cell membranes. Journal of Polymer Science. Part B, Polymer Physics, 2011, 49(21): 1506–1517

[13] Khorasany R M H , Kjeang E , Wang G G . . Simulation of ionomer membrane fatigue under mechanical and hygrothermal loading conditions. Journal of Power Sources, 2015, 279: 55–63

[14] Khorasany R M H , Singh Y , Alavijeh A S . . In-situ simulation of membrane fatigue in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2017, 42(16): 11838–11844

[15] MitsudaNTanakaY. Membrane electrode structure with resin frame. JP Patent, 2015125926, 2015–7-6

[16] Liang P , Qiu D , Peng L . . Structure failure of the sealing in the assembly process for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2017, 42(15): 10217–10227

[17] ShizukuFOkadaSKajiwaraT. Fuel cell resin frame assembly. US Patent, 10522851, 2019–12-31

[18] NaokiMYukitoTMasashiS, . Membrane electrode assembly for fuel cell. JP Patent, 2014029834, 2014–2-13

[19] TakasakiFUchiyamaT. Fuel cell. JP Patent, 2014072171, 2014–4-21

[20] KimuraK. Fuel cell, and fuel cell system. JP Patent, 2012094366, 2012–5-17

[21] KusakariT. Fuel cell. JP Patent, 6544229B2, 2019–7-17

[22] MitsudaNSomaH. Membrane electrode structure with resin frame. JP Patent, 6095564, 2017–3-15

[23] TanakaYNunokawaKSohmaH. Electrolyte membrane-electrode structure with resin frame for fuel cells. US Patent, 9966623, 2018–5--8

[24] OmoriMTanakaYSugishitaM. Electrolyte membrane/electrode structure with resin frame for fuel cell. JP Patent, 2015060621, 2015–3-30

[25] KimuraYTanakaYSugiuraS. Electrolyte membrane-electrode structure with resin frame for fuel cell. JP Patent, 2015050138, 2015–3-16

[26] KawasumiAIkedaK. Method of manufacturing unit fuel cell which prevents exposure and deformation. US Patent, 10615431, 2020–4-07

[27] Garland N , Benjamin T , Kopasz J P . DOE fuel cell program: Durability technical targets and testing protocols. ECS Transactions, 2007, 11(1): 923–931

[28] Yuan X Z , Li H , Zhang S S . . A review of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell durability test protocols. Journal of Power Sources, 2011, 196(22): 9107–9116

[29] Panha K , Fowler M , Yuan X Z . . Accelerated durability testing via reactants relative humidity cycling on PEM fuel cells. Applied Energy, 2012, 93: 90–97

[30] Yuan X Z , Zhang S S , Ban S . . Degradation of a PEM fuel cell stack with Nafion® membranes of different thicknesses. Part II: ex situ diagnosis. Journal of Power Sources, 2012, 205: 324–334

[31] Banan R , Bazylak A , Zu J . Combined effects of environmental vibrations and hygrothermal fatigue on mechanical damage in PEM fuel cells. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2015, 40(4): 1911–1922

[32] De Moor G , Bas C , Charvin N . . Understanding membrane failure in PEMFC: Comparison of diagnostic tools at different observation scales. Fuel Cells, 2012, 12(3): 356–364

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2021YFB4001801).

Competing Interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2024 Higher Education Press