Analysis of Degradation in Proton Exchange Membrane - Strasbourg, France - Olivier Lottin

Description

Analysis of degradation in proton exchange membrane fuel cells operating at 95°C:

• Réf

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ABG-113641

• Sujet de Thèse 21/04/2023
• Contrat doctoral
• Olivier Lottin
• Lieu de travail
• VandoeuvrelèsNancy
• Grand Est
• France
• Intitulé du sujet
• Analysis of degradation in proton exchange membrane fuel cells operating at 95°C
• Champs scientifiques
• Energie

• Mots clés

• Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC), durability, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, instrumented cells
  Description du sujet:

Under these conditions, the performance of electrode catalysts is better than at lower temperatures [5, 6].

However, at higher temperatures, the kinetics of materials degradation reactions are also expected to be higher, which necessitates increased robustness of the membrane-electrode assemblies.

Therefore, the main objective of this thesis is the analysis and understanding of the degradation mechanisms and their propagation between components of a PEMFC operating at high temperatures (> 90°C).

This work is part of the PEMFC95 project of the French National Research Agency (ANR), which aims to develop materials capable of operating sustainably at 95°C, while limiting the use of platinum family metals.

The thesis work will be based mainly on the use of segmented and instrumented cells giving access to fuel cells local performance and operating conditions, complemented by various ex-situ material characterization techniques at our partners [7].

Modeling work will also be performed when necessary to better understand and interpret the experimental data [8]. These will be based mainly on the development of ElectroChemical Impedance spectroscopy (EIS) models.

In addition, other standard electrochemical tools such as cyclic voltammetry will be used, to assess the electrochemical surface area (ECSA) - as well as the measurement of local potentials and current densities along the flow fields.

The segmented cells will also allow the early detection of membrane failure, through increase in hydrogen permeation, or changes in fuel cell performance and impedance.

In this respect, this thesis work will benefit from a close partnership with other members of our group focusing on the ex-situ (FTIR - NMR) and in-situ (instrumented cells) ageing and characterization of ionomer membranes.

References:

[2] Alstom unveils Coradia iLint hydrogen fuel cell powered train for European regional market, Fuel Cells Bul.,

[3] R.L. Borup, A. Kusoglu, K.C. Neyerlin, R. Mukundan, R.K. Ahluwalia, D.A. Cullen, K.L. More, A.Z. Weber, D.J. Myers, Recent developments in catalyst-related PEM fuel cell durability, Current Opinion in Electrochemistry,

[4] S.J.


Paddison, Proton Conduction in PEMs:
Complexity, Cooperativity and Connectivity, in: S.J. Paddison, K.S. Promislow (Eds.) Device and Materials Modeling in PEM Fuel Cells, Springer New York, New York, NY, 2009, pp

[5] W. Vielstich, A. Lamm, H.A. Gasteiger, Handbook of Fuel Cells, Wiley, Chichester, 2003.

[6] H.A. Gasteiger, W. Vielstich, H. Yokokawa, Handbook of Fuel Cells, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester, 2009.

[7] S. Touhami, L. Dubau b, J. Mainka, J. Dillet, M. Chatenet, O.

Lottin, Anode aging in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel Cells I:
Anode monitoring by ElectroChemical impedance spectroscopy, J. Pow. Sources, 481, 228908, 2021

[8] S. Touhami, J. Mainka, J. Dillet, S. Ait Hammou Taleb and O. Lottin, Transmission Line Impedance Models Considering Oxygen Transport Limitations in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells, J. Electrochem. Soc., vol. 166, no. 15, pp. F1209-F1217, 2019.


Prise de fonction:

• 01/06/2023
  Nature du financement:
• Contrat doctoral

Précisions sur le financement:


Présentation établissement et labo d'accueil:

• Olivier Lottin

A joint research unit of the University of Lorraine and the CNRS, the LEMTA (Laboratoire Énergies et Mécanique Théorique et Appliquée, UMR 7563), focuses its research activities on Mechanics and Energy and is one of the 5 laboratories of the Jacques Villermaux Research Federation for Mechanics, Energy and Processes. Organized in three research departments and a transverse scientific axis on Magnetic Raisonance Imagery (MRI), the Laboratory contributes to create new knowledge in the field of engineering sciences. This research is carried out by nearly 75 academic staff, 30 administrative and technical staff distributed in shared research support services (finance & administration, mechanical design and manufacturing, electronics & instrumentation, logistics and projects, IT & computing) and about 70 PhD students and post-doctoral fellows.

All of our research themes on fluids and energies are supposed by first-class technological platforms and the development of particularly innovative measurement techniques.

For example, the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging (NMRI) platform, a technique traditionally used in the medical field, is used for the quanti