1st Edition

Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells Science, Applications, and Challenges

Edited By Alejandro A. Franco Copyright 2013
    616 Pages 13 Color & 229 B/W Illustrations
    by Jenny Stanford Publishing

    This book focuses on the recent research progress on the fundamental understanding of the materials degradation phenomena in PEFC, for automotive applications. On a multidisciplinary basis, through contributions of internationally recognized researchers in the field, this book provides a complete critical review on crucial scientific topics related to PEFC materials degradation, and ensures a strong balance between experimental and theoretical analysis and preparation techniques with several practical applications for both the research and the industrial communities.

    Preface
    PEMFC Technologies for Automotive Applications Nicolas Fouquet
    A Brief History of PEMFC for the Automotive Industry
    Automotive Requirements for PEM Fuel Cell Power Plants
    The Importance of Reliable Modeling Tools
    Conclusion
    Advanced Technologies for Efficient and Low Catalyst Loading Electrodes Pascal Fugier, Etienne Quesnel, and Sebastien Donet
    Introduction
    CVD and Precursors Approach
    Principles of cvd Process: MOCVD
    Physical Vapor Deposition
    Electrocatalysis on Shape-Controlled Pt Nanoparticles J. Solla-Gullón, F. J. Vidal-Iglesias, E. Herrero, J. M. Feliu, and A. Aldaz
    Introduction
    Synthesis of Shape-Controlled Pt Nanoparticles
    Correlation between Surface Structure and Nanoparticle Shape
    Electrocatalysis on Shape-Controlled Pt Nanoparticles
    Additional Remarks
    Conclusions and Outlook
    Ex situ Electrochemical Methods for the Characterization of PEFC Nanomaterial Degradation Deborah J. Myers and Xiaoping Wang
    Introduction
    Electrochemical Techniques
    Ex situ Techniques/Configurations
    Accelerated Electrochemical Stress Tests for PEFC Nanomaterial Durability
    Examples of Electrochemical Characterization of PEFC Nanomaterial Degradation
    Microstructural Characterization Methods of PEMFC Electrode Materials Zhong Xie
    Introduction
    Catalyst/Support and Electrode Characterization for PEMFC
    Structural Characterization of Polymer Electrolyte Materials
    Prospective and Outlook
    Instability of Nanomaterials in PEFC Environments: A State of the Art Sarah Ball
    Introduction
    Decay Mechanisms at PEFC Cathode
    Decay Mechanisms at the PEMFC Anode — Hydrogen and Reformate
    Conclusions and Outlook

    Innovative Support Materials for Low-Temperature Fuel Cell Catalysts Ernesto Rafael Gonzalez and Ermete Antolini
    Introduction
    Carbon
    Ceramic
    Polymer
    Conclusions
    Membrane Degradation Mechanisms in a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Panagiotis Trogadas and Thomas F. Fuller
    Introduction
    Mechanical Degradation
    Thermal Degradation
    Chemical Degradation of PEM
    Role of Metal Impurities in Chemical Degradation
    Evidence of Preferential Degradation
    Experimental Measurement of Chemical Degradation
    Concluding Remarks

    Effects of Fuel and Air Impurities on PEFC Performance Eben Dy, Zheng Shi, Khalid Fatih, Jiujun Zhang, and Zhong-Sheng Liu
    Introduction
    Fuel Side Impurities
    Air Side Impurities
    Mitigation Strategy
    Summary
    In situ Characterization Methods of PEMFC Materials Degradation Viktor Hacker, Eva Wallnöfer-Ogris, Harald Brandstätter, and Markus Perchthaler
    Introduction
    Hydrogen Diffusion: In situ Determination of Membrane Degradation
    Polarization Curves and Performance
    Open-Circuit Voltage
    Fluoride Emission Rate
    Cyclic Voltammetry
    Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
    Determination of the Local Electrochemical Potential
    Exhaust Gas Analysis
    Current Density Distribution
    Multiscale Molecular Modeling of Degradation Phenomena in Catalyst Layers of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells Kourosh Malek and Tetsuya Mashio
    Introduction
    Multiscale Molecular Modeling of CL
    Pt Degradation and Molecular Modeling of Pt Stability and Pt–C Interactions
    Meso-Scale Modeling of Carbon Corrosion in CLs
    Concluding Remarks
    Toward a Bottom-Up Multiscale Modeling Framework for the Transient Analysis of PEM Fuel Cells Operation Alejandro A. Franco
    Introduction
    Modeling of the Electrochemistry in PEMFCs
    Modeling of Transport and Thermal Stresses in PEMFCs
    Bottom-Up Multiscale Modeling of PEMFC
    CFD Modeling of PEMFC
    PEMFC Diagnostic Modeling
    Summary and Challenges
    Index

    Biography

    Alejandro A. Franco