Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells Science, Applications, and Challenges

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.

PrefacePEMFC Technologies for Automotive Applications Nicolas FouquetA Brief History of PEMFC for the Automotive IndustryAutomotive Requirements for PEM Fuel Cell Power PlantsThe Importance of Reliable Modeling Tools Conclusion Advanced Technologies for Efficient and Low Catalyst Loading Electrodes Pascal Fugier, Etienne Quesnel, and Sebastien DonetIntroductionCVD and Precursors ApproachPrinciples of cvd Process: MOCVDPhysical Vapor Deposition Electrocatalysis on Shape-Controlled Pt Nanoparticles J. Solla-Gullón, F. J. Vidal-Iglesias, E. Herrero, J. M. Feliu, and A. AldazIntroductionSynthesis of Shape-Controlled Pt NanoparticlesCorrelation between Surface Structure and Nanoparticle ShapeElectrocatalysis on Shape-Controlled Pt Nanoparticles Additional RemarksConclusions and OutlookEx situ Electrochemical Methods for the Characterization of PEFC Nanomaterial Degradation Deborah J. Myers and Xiaoping WangIntroductionElectrochemical TechniquesEx situ Techniques/ConfigurationsAccelerated Electrochemical Stress Tests for PEFC Nanomaterial DurabilityExamples of Electrochemical Characterization of PEFC Nanomaterial DegradationMicrostructural Characterization Methods of PEMFC Electrode Materials Zhong XieIntroductionCatalyst/Support and Electrode Characterization for PEMFCStructural Characterization of Polymer Electrolyte MaterialsProspective and OutlookInstability of Nanomaterials in PEFC Environments: A State of the Art Sarah BallIntroductionDecay Mechanisms at PEFC CathodeDecay Mechanisms at the PEMFC Anode — Hydrogen and ReformateConclusions and Outlook Innovative Support Materials for Low-Temperature Fuel Cell Catalysts Ernesto Rafael Gonzalez and Ermete AntoliniIntroductionCarbonCeramicPolymerConclusionsMembrane Degradation Mechanisms in a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Panagiotis Trogadas and Thomas F. FullerIntroductionMechanical DegradationThermal DegradationChemical Degradation of PEMRole of Metal Impurities in Chemical DegradationEvidence of Preferential DegradationExperimental Measurement of Chemical DegradationConcluding Remarks Effects of Fuel and Air Impurities on PEFC Performance Eben Dy, Zheng Shi, Khalid Fatih, Jiujun Zhang, and Zhong-Sheng LiuIntroductionFuel Side ImpuritiesAir Side ImpuritiesMitigation StrategySummaryIn situ Characterization Methods of PEMFC Materials Degradation Viktor Hacker, Eva Wallnöfer-Ogris, Harald Brandstätter, and Markus PerchthalerIntroductionHydrogen Diffusion: In situ Determination of Membrane DegradationPolarization Curves and PerformanceOpen-Circuit VoltageFluoride Emission RateCyclic VoltammetryElectrochemical Impedance SpectroscopyDetermination of the Local Electrochemical PotentialExhaust Gas Analysis Current Density Distribution Multiscale Molecular Modeling of Degradation Phenomena in Catalyst Layers of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells Kourosh Malek and Tetsuya MashioIntroductionMultiscale Molecular Modeling of CLPt Degradation and Molecular Modeling of Pt Stability and Pt–C InteractionsMeso-Scale Modeling of Carbon Corrosion in CLsConcluding RemarksToward a Bottom-Up Multiscale Modeling Framework for the Transient Analysis of PEM Fuel Cells Operation Alejandro A. FrancoIntroductionModeling of the Electrochemistry in PEMFCsModeling of Transport and Thermal Stresses in PEMFCsBottom-Up Multiscale Modeling of PEMFCCFD Modeling of PEMFCPEMFC Diagnostic ModelingSummary and ChallengesIndex