CAREER: Role of Interfaces on Transport Phenomena in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

聚合物电解质燃料电池（PEFC）是下一代清洁的、潜在的不依赖化石燃料的能量转换技术的强有力的候选者之一。膜电极组件（MEA）是由多个薄膜介质组成的，是PEFC的核心。电化学反应和大量的运输现象，管理PEFC的操作发生在这个组件的薄膜介质。在薄膜介质中，表面积与体积比非常高;因此，表面性质和界面传输对传输过程有显着影响，从而对PEFC的操作，性能和耐久性有显着影响。该项目的目标是，通过计算和实验相结合的研究，是开发的界面和表面上的传输现象和操作的PEFC的影响的理解。智力优势：这个职业发展计划将探讨在PEFC薄膜介质的界面和表面发生的基本传输过程。研究将集中在两个不同的长度尺度的界面：（i）薄膜之间的微观尺度的界面，例如微孔层？气体扩散层界面;和（ii）催化剂层内的纳米级界面，Pt催化剂-离聚物-气体孔界面。该项目将以下列方式进行：1。将利用几个国家实验室操作的成像设施对微米级和纳米级界面进行表征，并将利用所获得的图像对这些界面进行数字重建。数字化重建使得对界面实际微观结构的计算分析成为可能.建立在数字重建的实际微观结构的接口，计算模型描述的多相传输过程将被开发。这些模型将详细描述界面处的过程，目前无法通过实验研究。微尺度界面模型将通过非侵入式中子成像实验进行验证。教育融合：该研究计划将被整合到现有的高级本科选修课程的燃料电池，以及到一个新开发的课程，重点是在燃料电池的传输现象。除了课程开发外，还将为高中生开发旨在实践研究经验的研究项目。通过拟议的计算和实验研究，将建立跨界面传输现象的详细知识库，这将提高目前对PEFC中传输现象的理解，并将帮助燃料电池组件设计人员开发耐用，低成本和高性能的膜电极组件。更广泛的影响：这项研究将导致更好地了解界面的影响及其对PEFC系统的运行和性能的作用。这一认识将为聚合物电解质燃料电池的进一步发展提供重大飞跃，从而减少对外国能源的需求，提供能源安全和环境友好的能源发电技术。研究工作与教育和推广活动相结合，不仅针对康涅狄格大学的本科生和研究生，而且针对高中学生和教师以及公众，通过开发专注于燃料电池和可再生能源好处的教育模块。

CBET-0748063, PasaogullariPolymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC) are among the strong candidates for next generation, clean, and potentially fossil fuel independent energy conversion technologies. Membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) consists of multiple thin film media, and is the heart of a PEFC. The electrochemical reactions and bulk of the transport phenomena that govern PEFC operation occur in this assembly of thin film media. In thin film media, surface to volume ratio is very high; therefore surface properties and interfacial transport have significant impact on transport processes, and consequently on PEFC operation, performance and durability. The goal of this project is, through a combined computational and experimental study, is to develop an understanding of the effects of interfaces and surfaces on the transport phenomena and operation of PEFCs. Intellectual Merit: This CAREER development plan will explore the fundamental transport processes that occur at the interfaces and surfaces of PEFC thin film media. The research will focus on two different length-scale interfaces: (i) a micro-scale interface between the thin films, e.g. micro-porous layer ? gas diffusion layer interface; and (ii) a nano-scale interface within the catalyst layers, Pt catalyst-ionomer-gas pore interface. The project will be approached in the following manner:1. Both micro-scale and nano-scale interfaces will be characterized by imaging facilities operated by several national laboratories, and digital reconstruction of these interface using the obtained images will be performed. The digital reconstruction enables the computational analysis on actual microstructures of the interfaces.2. Built on the digital reconstruction of the actual microstructure of the interfaces, computational models describing the multi-phase transport processes will be developed. These models will describe the processes at the interfaces at a detail that is currently impossible to experimentally investigate. The models developed for micro-scale interfaces will be validated by non-intrusive neutron imaging experiments.3. Educational Integration: The research program will be integrated into an existing senior level undergraduate elective course on fuel cells, as well as into a newly developed course focusing on the transport phenomena in fuel cells. In addition to course development, research programs that are designed for hands on research experience will be developed for high school students.Through the proposed computational and experimental study, a detailed knowledgebase on the transport phenomena across the interfaces will be built, which will enhance the current understanding of the transport phenomena in PEFCs, and will aid the fuel cell component designers in developing durable, low cost and high performance membrane-electrode assemblies. Broader Impact: This research will result in an improved understanding of the effects of the interfaces and their role on operation and performance of PEFC systems. This understanding will provide a significant leap in further development of polymer electrolyte fuel cells, which reduce the need for foreign energy resources, provide energy security and environmentally friendly energy generation technology. The research efforts are integrated with the education and outreach activities, which targets not only undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Connecticut, but high school students and teachers as well as general public, by developing educational modules that focus on benefits of fuel cells and renewable energy.