Operando μ-Raman study of the actual water content of perfluorosulfonic acid membranes in the fuel cell

Operando μ-Raman spectroscopy is used to probe the water distribution across Nafion® and Aquivion™ membranes in the operating fuel cell. The through-plane water concentration profile is obtained with μm resolution at the middle of the active surface, both at the gas distribution channel and at the u...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of power sources Vol. 356; pp. 200 - 211
Main Authors:	Peng, Zhe, Badets, Vasilica, Huguet, Patrice, Morin, Arnaud, Schott, Pascal, Tran, Thi Bich Hue, Porozhnyy, Mikhaël, Nikonenko, Victor, Deabate, Stefano
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Elsevier B.V 01-07-2017 Elsevier
Subjects:	Aquivion Chemical Sciences Hydration Nafion Operando Raman spectroscopy Proton exchange membrane fuel cell Water management Proton exchange membrane fuel cell Water management Aquivion Hydration Operando Raman spectroscopy Nafion
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Summary:	Operando μ-Raman spectroscopy is used to probe the water distribution across Nafion® and Aquivion™ membranes in the operating fuel cell. The through-plane water concentration profile is obtained with μm resolution at the middle of the active surface, both at the gas distribution channel and at the under-lands areas. Depth-resolved measurements carried out at room temperature show that the water content of both membranes increases with the increase of the feed gas relative humidity and decreases with the increase of stoichiometry. At given relative humidity and stoichiometry conditions, the water content first increases at the fuel cell start-up and, then, decreases progressively with the increase of the current density delivered by the cell. The water loss is due to the concomitant rise of pressure drops and of the cell inner temperature, the latter giving the larger contribution. Pressure drops are related to the increase of the feed gases fluxes while temperature rise is due to increasing ohmic losses and heat from the electrochemical reaction. Compared to Nafion, Aquivion exhibits larger water content, but similar dehydration rate as a function of ohmic losses, and larger water accumulation at the under-lands area compared to channel. Operando depth-resolved μ-Raman measurements probe the actual water distribution across the membrane in the working fuel cell. [Display omitted] •Operando μ-Raman is used to probe water across the membrane during operation.•Different relative humidity, stoichiometry and current conditions are studied.•The hydration behaviors of Nafion® N115 and Aquivion™ E790-05s are compared.•Both membranes loose water with the increase of current density.•Thermal management is the main reason of the membrane dehydration.
ISSN:	0378-7753 1873-2755
DOI:	10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.04.095