scholarly journals AEMFC Exploiting a Pd/CeO2-Based Anode Compared to Classic PEMFC via LCA Analysis

Hydrogen ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 246-261
Author(s):  
Simone Minelli ◽  
Michele Civelli ◽  
Sandra Rondinini ◽  
Alessandro Minguzzi ◽  
Alberto Vertova

The hydrogen economy relies on effective and environmentally friendly processes for energy conversion and storage. To this end, hydrogen is progressively holding the role of preferred energy vector. Within this frame, electrochemical science and technology is actively contributing in developing advanced fuel cells and water electrolyzers to be integrated in (i) energy parks to decouple production and consumption; (ii) exploit renewable sources; (iii) favour the progressive reduction of fossil fuels and reduce the greenhouse effect via decarbonization. The exploitation of the relevant processes and devices call for the sound control over the environmental impact from production to end-of-life steps. Here, life-cycle analyses were performed and discussed focusing on both acid and alkaline fuel cells, i.e., proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) and anion-exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFC), and assessing their contribution to key environmental impact categories such as, for example, global warming and ozone layer depletion. Within these premises, the study points to the benefits of replacing platinum by low load Pd/CeO2 bifunctional electrocatalyst on electrochemical hydrogen production and usage.

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-234
Author(s):  
Snatika Sarkar ◽  
◽  
Vijaya Ilango ◽  

Energy conservation is an important issue in a world that is still largely dependent on non-renewable energy resources. Despite the growing awareness about the advantages of renewable resources, fossil fuels in the form of coal and petroleum dominate the energy consumption scenario. The primary reason for this situation is the greater commercial viability of fossil fuels. Fuel cells are an important, environment friendly means of utilizing the energy stored in hydrogen. It is however, essential to strive towards making them more economical for commercial use. This paper focuses on proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) and usage of carbon nanotubes for increased efficiency. The paper also discusses a possible material that may find potential application in the fuel cell as an alternative to the carbon nanotubes existing so far.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Guccini ◽  
Annika Carlson ◽  
Shun Yu ◽  
Göran Lindbergh ◽  
Rakel Wreland Lindström ◽  
...  

The performance of thin carboxylated cellulose nanofiber-based (CNF) membranes as proton exchange membranes in fuel cells has been measured in-situ as a function of CNF surface charge density (600 and 1550 µmol g<sup>-1</sup>), counterion (H<sup>+</sup>or Na<sup>+</sup>), membrane thickness and fuel cell relative humidity (RH 55 to 95 %). The structural evolution of the membranes as a function of RH as measured by Small Angle X-ray scattering shows that water channels are formed only above 75 % RH. The amount of absorbed water was shown to depend on the membrane surface charge and counter ions (Na<sup>+</sup>or H<sup>+</sup>). The high affinity of CNF for water and the high aspect ratio of the nanofibers, together with a well-defined and homogenous membrane structure, ensures a proton conductivity exceeding 1 mS cm<sup>-1</sup>at 30 °C between 65 and 95 % RH. This is two orders of magnitude larger than previously reported values for cellulose materials and only one order of magnitude lower than Nafion 212. Moreover, the CNF membranes are characterized by a lower hydrogen crossover than Nafion, despite being ≈ 30 % thinner. Thanks to their environmental compatibility and promising fuel cell performance the CNF membranes should be considered for new generation proton exchange membrane fuel cells.<br>


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Jourdani ◽  
Hamid Mounir ◽  
Abdellatif El Marjani

Background: During last few years, the proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) underwent a huge development. Method: The different contributions to the design, the material of all components and the efficiencies are analyzed. Result: Many technical advances are introduced to increase the PEMFC fuel cell efficiency and lifetime for transportation, stationary and portable utilization. Conclusion: By the last years, the total cost of this system is decreasing. However, the remaining challenges that need to be overcome mean that it will be several years before full commercialization can take place.This paper gives an overview of the recent advancements in the development of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel cells and remaining challenges of PEMFC.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 855-860
Author(s):  
Ruixiang Wang ◽  
Pengyang Zhang ◽  
Yucheng Wang ◽  
Yuesheng Wang ◽  
Karim Zaghib ◽  
...  

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 2975
Author(s):  
Zikhona Nondudule ◽  
Jessica Chamier ◽  
Mahabubur Chowdhury

To decrease the cost of fuel cell manufacturing, the amount of platinum (Pt) in the catalyst layer needs to be reduced. In this study, ionomer gradient membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) were designed to reduce Pt loading without sacrificing performance and lifetime. A two-layer stratification of the cathode was achieved with varying ratios of 28 wt. % ionomer in the inner layer, on the membrane, and 24 wt. % on the outer layer, coated onto the inner layer. To study the MEA performance, the electrochemical surface area (ECSA), polarization curves, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) responses were evaluated under 20, 60, and 100% relative humidity (RH). The stratified MEA Pt loading was reduced by 12% while maintaining commercial equivalent performance. The optimal two-layer design was achieved when the Pt loading ratio between the layers was 1:6 (inner:outer layer). This MEA showed the highest ECSA and performance at 0.65 V with reduced mass transport losses. The integrity of stratified MEAs with lower Pt loading was evaluated with potential cycling and proved more durable than the monolayer MEA equivalent. The higher ionomer loading adjacent to the membrane and the bi-layer interface of the stratified catalyst layer (CL) increased moisture in the cathode CL, decreasing the degradation rate. Using ionomer stratification to decrease the Pt loading in an MEA yielded a better performance compared to the monolayer MEA design. This study, therefore, contributes to the development of more durable, cost-effective MEAs for low-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells.


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