Exploring the process design and parameters for a fuel cell membrane electrode assembly by decal transfer
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Program
Innovative and sustainable chemical engineering (MPISC), MSc
Publicerad
2023
Författare
Schulz, Dylan
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEM FCs) are a promising key component in a renewable
energy infrastructure. At their heart is the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), where both the
hydrogen oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions occur. Decal transfer is an effective method for
fabricating MEAs, as it is highly scalable and noted for its low interfacial resistance. In this thesis, the
main processing parameters for the decal transfer – temperature, pressure and transfer time – are
varied to explore the parameter space available for MEA production. Based on these results, in-situ
performance tests using polarization curves and high frequency resistance (HFR) measurements are
performed in a 2k experiment matrix to study the effects of these parameters on the MEA
performance. Further experiments are conducted for different proton exchange membranes and for
in-house produced cathodes to understand the effects of these materials on the performance and
processing parameter space. Further studies are performed to explore the glass transition
temperatures of the membranes, to understand the real temperature profiles of the MEA during the
transfer, and to explore the morphological changes undergone by the electrode during transfer. The
results of this thesis most notably illustrate the sets of parameters that can result in a good transfer,
demonstrate the effects of these parameters on the transfer quality and MEA performance.