Identifying and developing renewable feedstocks for microporous layer in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

识别和开发质子交换膜燃料电池微孔层的可再生原料

• 批准号: RGPIN-2022-04029
• 负责人: Shahgaldi, Samaneh
• 金额: $ 2.11万
• 依托单位: Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=748769
• 关键词: Identifying; developing; renewable; feedstocks; microporous

Research into the creation of clean and renewable energy systems has been progressing quickly in an attempt to overcome the challenges of global warming and energy scarcity. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells generate electricity using hydrogen and oxygen through a catalyzed electrochemical reaction at low temperature and are a compelling option for clean mobility (medium to long range) and power generation. Despite great strides made in the consumer space, there has been public scrutiny about the environmental impacts of the components and manufacturing processes of PEM fuel cells, which undermine its potential as a green technology. The presence of different petroleum-based carbon components inside the fuel cells (catalyst support, gas diffusion layers, microporous layer and bipolar plate) is one such examples. This research seeks to address this by developing carbonaceous components from renewable feedstocks with superior properties for use in PEM fuel cells. In addition, research outcomes will contribute to adding value to the biomaterials by utilizing them in the energy materials space and integrating them into the manufacturing process to bring down fuel cell cost without sacrificing performance and durability. After nearly three decades of intensive research, PEM fuel cells have reached the early stage of commercial deployment; however, production costs remain high and durability and cell performance are limited. These challenges are related to the slow kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction occurring at the cathode side and the accumulation of water, which causes cell flooding. Applying a hydrophobic microporous layer (MPL) between the catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer enhances water removal from the catalyst layer thus can alleviate this issue. The MPL also plays a crucial role in cell performance and durability; thus, the design and properties of the MPL must be optimized accordingly. Over the next five years, this research will focus on the development of a MPL from bio-based carbon materials with novel properties by: (i) Developing novel bio-based carbon powder with proper electrical and thermal conductivity, and functional groups; (ii) Developing proper slurry ink from mixing produced bio-based carbon materials to use a minimal amount of the hydrophobic agent (Fluoropolymers based materials) ; (iii) Developing a MPL with proper porosity and permeability from prepared slurry followed by heat treatment ; (iv) Testing and validating the bio-based MPL in scaled up single fuel cell stack as a competitive commercial option with low-cost, high performance and durability. This research program is well aligned with Canadian Hydrogen strategy and all students will benefit from multidisciplinary nature of this research and will gain expertise in the areas of biomaterials and fuel cells.

为了克服全球变暖和能源短缺的挑战，建立清洁和可再生能源系统的研究进展迅速。质子交换膜（PEM）燃料电池在低温下通过催化电化学反应使用氢气和氧气发电，是清洁移动（中远程）和发电的一个引人注目的选择。尽管在消费领域取得了长足的进步，但公众对PEM燃料电池的组件和制造工艺的环境影响进行了审查，这破坏了其作为绿色技术的潜力。燃料电池内部存在不同的石油基碳组分（催化剂载体、气体扩散层、微孔层和双极板）就是一个这样的例子。本研究旨在通过开发具有上级性能的可再生原料的碳质组分用于PEM燃料电池来解决这一问题。此外，研究成果将有助于增加生物材料的价值，将其用于能源材料领域，并将其整合到制造过程中，以降低燃料电池的成本，而不会牺牲性能和耐用性。 经过近三十年的深入研究，PEM燃料电池已经达到商业部署的早期阶段;然而，生产成本仍然很高，耐用性和电池性能有限。这些挑战与在阴极侧发生的氧还原反应的缓慢动力学和导致电池溢流的水的积聚有关。在催化剂层和气体扩散层之间施加疏水性微孔层（MPL）增强了从催化剂层中除去水，因此可以缓解该问题。MPL在电池性能和耐久性方面也起着至关重要的作用;因此，必须相应地优化MPL的设计和性能。在未来五年内，本研究将集中于通过以下方式开发具有新特性的生物基碳材料的MPL：（i）开发具有适当导电性和导热性以及功能基团的新型生物基碳粉;（ii）通过混合生产的生物基碳材料开发适当的浆料油墨，以使用最少量的疏水剂（iii）从制备的浆料开发具有适当孔隙率和渗透性的MPL，然后进行热处理;（iv）在按比例放大的单个燃料电池堆中测试和验证生物基MPL作为具有低成本、高性能和耐久性的有竞争力的商业选择。这项研究计划与加拿大氢战略保持一致，所有学生都将受益于这项研究的多学科性质，并将获得生物材料和燃料电池领域的专业知识。