Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell catalyst layer degradation

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Energy security has never been more vital for society. Extreme weather conditions, droughts, and floods due to climate change in combination with lack of energy storage and aging conventional energy infrastructure pose dangerous living conditions for municipalities around the world. Clean electrochemical energy conversion is critically needed to build energy security that reduces Canada's reliance on fossil fuels. The polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell is a particularly important part of a clean energy future as an attractive alternative to the internal combustion engine for transportation applications. PEM fuel cells offer zero local emissions, fast-start ups, and use of clean hydrogen that can be produced from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar. However, the widespread adoption of PEM fuel cells in Canada is currently hindered by high costs and limited lifetimes, largely stemming from the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), which includes expensive platinum. For this project, the University of Toronto (Prof. Bazylak) and Ballard Power Systems Inc. developed a new partnership to elucidate the sulphonic degradation of the ionomer and coverage of platinum catalyst sites through ex situ and operando imaging, electrochemical performance characterization, and transport property analysis. In particular, this work will feature scanning transmission X-ray microscopy with X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy to characterize the MEA and inform our design of higher performing and longer lasting PEM fuel cell MEAs. The methods and outcomes from this work will be highly impactful to the broader electrochemical energy conversion field, where MEA based technologies such as PEM electrolyzers and carbon dioxide electrolyzers will benefit from the development of robust MEAs that are resistant to ionomer degradation and reaction site coverage. This research team will broadly disseminate their findings through publications, conference presentations, and patents to support the growth of Canadian leadership for MEA based technology commercialization.