Elucidating Ion Transport and Catalyst Degradation Mechanisms in Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzers

As one of the most promising pathways to achieve zero-emission targets, Canada and Germany launched their respective hydrogen strategies. Polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) for green hydrogen production and hydrogen-fed PEM fuel cells (PEMFCs) for zero-emission vehicles are two technologies considered to be crucial parts of the future hydrogen infrastructure in both countries. Although both PEMWEs and PEMFCs are in early commercial stages, in addition to cost, two major barriers to large-scale commercialization are their durability and the increasing concerns about the environmental impact of fluorocarbon-based polymer electrolytes. Development of strategies to enhance durability via new materials discovery or new component design requires a robust experimental-evidence-based understanding of the degradation and transport phenomena in the PEM and at the membrane-electrode interfaces. Using a diagnostic microfluidic cell, transport phenomena in the membrane and at the interface can be visualized to understand phenomena in existing materials and develop novel, fluorocarbon-free materials with a deeper understanding of their impact on long-term stability and large-scale commercialization of PEMWE and PEMFC. To ensure that results from the diagnostic cell accurately reflect phenomena in larger-scale operation, the findings will be checked and cross-referenced in a benchtop-scale setup.

Faculty Supervisor:

Anne Benneker;Kunal Karan

Student:

Partner:

Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Calgary

Program: