Applications

Metal elusion imaging using micro-XRF to identify the root cause of PEMFC degradation

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are getting more and more popular as a clean energy, and a lot of research is being done to achieve better durability for further spread into more commercial phase.

One of the root causes of PEMFC durability loss is reported to be derived from membrane degradation by metal cations leached out during fuel cell operation^[1-3]. Figure 1 shows metal cations derived from various possible sources in a PEMFC such as Pt-alloy catalysts^[2], metallic separators^[3], and unexpected corrosion or impurities in the reactant / fuel flow^[2]. Figure 2 shows some of the reported degradation mechanism caused by metal cations. Therefore, it is important for root cause identification to know what elements are eluted on a PEMFC sheet.

The HORIBA’s XGT-9000 X-ray Analytical Microscope is a micro-XRF, which is an elemental imaging analyzer which provides multiple elements’ distributions, non-destructively.

Figure 1. Metal cations (Mz+) derived from various possible sources in a PEMFC

Figure 2. PEMFC durability loss mechanism caused by metal cations

Find out more details on the technique and instrument on our website: here
Learn more Fuel cell application: Applications of micro-XRF for PEMFC catalyst research: Pt catalyst uniformity imaging and Pt loading mass determination
Contact HORIBA's expert

Reference

[1] Zatoń et al (2017) Current understanding of chemical degradation mechanisms of perfluorosulfonic acid membranes and their mitigation strategies: a review, Sustainable Energy Fuels,1(3), pp.409-4383

[2] Cai et al (2018) Electrode Edge Cobalt Cation Migration in an Operating Fuel Cell: An In Situ Micro-X-ray Fluorescence Study. J. Electrochem. Soc. 165 F3132

[3] Li et al (2020) Transient stainless-steel dissolution and its consequences on ex-situ bipolar plate testing procedures, Int. J. Hydrog. 45(1) pp.984-995.