IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v177y2016icp817-822.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Thin liquid/gas diffusion layers for high-efficiency hydrogen production from water splitting

Author

Listed:
  • Mo, Jingke
  • Kang, Zhenye
  • Yang, Gaoqiang
  • Retterer, Scott T.
  • Cullen, David A.
  • Toops, Todd J.
  • Green, Johney B.
  • Zhang, Feng-Yuan

Abstract

In this study, a novel titanium thin LGDL with well-tunable pore morphologies was developed by employing nano-manufacturing and was applied in a standard PEMEC. The LGDL tests show significant performance improvements. The operating voltages required at a current density of 2.0A/cm2 were as low as 1.69V, and its efficiency reached a report high of up to 88%. The new thin and flat LGDL with well-tunable straight pores has been demonstrated to remarkably reduce the ohmic, interfacial and transport losses. In addition, well-tunable features, including pore size, pore shape, pore distribution, and thus porosity and permeability, will be very valuable for developing PEMEC models and for validation of its simulations with optimal and repeatable performance. The LGDL thickness reduction from greater than 350μm of conventional LGDLs to 25μm will greatly decrease the weight and volume of PEMEC stacks, and represents a new direction for future developments of low-cost PEMECs with high performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Mo, Jingke & Kang, Zhenye & Yang, Gaoqiang & Retterer, Scott T. & Cullen, David A. & Toops, Todd J. & Green, Johney B. & Zhang, Feng-Yuan, 2016. "Thin liquid/gas diffusion layers for high-efficiency hydrogen production from water splitting," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 817-822.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:177:y:2016:i:c:p:817-822
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.05.154
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030626191630767X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.05.154?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wu, Horng-Wen, 2016. "A review of recent development: Transport and performance modeling of PEM fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 81-106.
    2. Pratt, Joseph W. & Klebanoff, Leonard E. & Munoz-Ramos, Karina & Akhil, Abbas A. & Curgus, Dita B. & Schenkman, Benjamin L., 2013. "Proton exchange membrane fuel cells for electrical power generation on-board commercial airplanes," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 776-796.
    3. Ismail, M.S. & Hughes, K.J. & Ingham, D.B. & Ma, L. & Pourkashanian, M., 2012. "Effects of anisotropic permeability and electrical conductivity of gas diffusion layers on the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 50-63.
    4. Marshall, A. & Børresen, B. & Hagen, G. & Tsypkin, M. & Tunold, R., 2007. "Hydrogen production by advanced proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysers—Reduced energy consumption by improved electrocatalysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 431-436.
    5. Wang, Yun & Chen, Ken S. & Mishler, Jeffrey & Cho, Sung Chan & Adroher, Xavier Cordobes, 2011. "A review of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells: Technology, applications, and needs on fundamental research," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(4), pages 981-1007, April.
    6. Dihrab, Salwan S. & Sopian, K. & Alghoul, M.A. & Sulaiman, M.Y., 2009. "Review of the membrane and bipolar plates materials for conventional and unitized regenerative fuel cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(6-7), pages 1663-1668, August.
    7. Polterovich, Victor & Popov, Vladimir, 2006. "Эволюционная Теория Экономической Политики: Часть I: Опыт Быстрого Развития [An Evolutionary Theory of Economic Policy: Part I: The Experience of Fast Development]," MPRA Paper 22168, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Bensmann, B. & Hanke-Rauschenbach, R. & Müller-Syring, G. & Henel, M. & Sundmacher, K., 2016. "Optimal configuration and pressure levels of electrolyzer plants in context of power-to-gas applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 107-124.
    9. Cho, Junhyun & Park, Jaeman & Oh, Hwanyeong & Min, Kyoungdoug & Lee, Eunsook & Jyoung, Jy-Young, 2013. "Analysis of the transient response and durability characteristics of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with different micro-porous layer penetration thicknesses," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 300-309.
    10. Park, Jaeman & Oh, Hwanyeong & Lee, Yoo Il & Min, Kyoungdoug & Lee, Eunsook & Jyoung, Jy-Young, 2016. "Effect of the pore size variation in the substrate of the gas diffusion layer on water management and fuel cell performance," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 200-212.
    11. Bolívar Jaramillo, Lucas & Weidlich, Anke, 2016. "Optimal microgrid scheduling with peak load reduction involving an electrolyzer and flexible loads," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 857-865.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Qiu, Diankai & Peng, Linfa & Yi, Peiyun & Lehnert, Werner & Lai, Xinmin, 2021. "Review on proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack assembly: Quality evaluation, assembly method, contact behavior and process design," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    2. Rasaki, S.A. & Liu, C. & Lao, C. & Zhang, H. & Chen, Z., 2021. "The innovative contribution of additive manufacturing towards revolutionizing fuel cell fabrication for clean energy generation: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    3. Kang, Zhenye & Mo, Jingke & Yang, Gaoqiang & Li, Yifan & Talley, Derrick A. & Retterer, Scott T. & Cullen, David A. & Toops, Todd J. & Brady, Michael P. & Bender, Guido & Pivovar, Bryan S. & Green, Jo, 2017. "Thin film surface modifications of thin/tunable liquid/gas diffusion layers for high-efficiency proton exchange membrane electrolyzer cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 983-990.
    4. Pan, Zehua & Liu, Qinglin & Zhang, Lan & Zhou, Juan & Zhang, Caizhi & Chan, Siew Hwa, 2017. "Experimental and thermodynamic study on the performance of water electrolysis by solid oxide electrolyzer cells with Nb-doped Co-based perovskite anode," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 559-567.
    5. Lee, Jason K. & Schuler, Tobias & Bender, Guido & Sabharwal, Mayank & Peng, Xiong & Weber, Adam Z. & Danilovic, Nemanja, 2023. "Interfacial engineering via laser ablation for high-performing PEM water electrolysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    6. Lin, Rui & Tang, Shenghao & Diao, Xiaoyu & Zhong, Di & Chen, Liang & Froning, Dieter & Hao, Zhixian, 2020. "Detailed optimization of multiwall carbon nanotubes doped microporous layer in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells for enhanced performance," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 274(C).
    7. Kang, Zhenye & Wang, Hao & Liu, Yanrong & Mo, Jingke & Wang, Min & Li, Jing & Tian, Xinlong, 2022. "Exploring and understanding the internal voltage losses through catalyst layers in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis devices," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    8. Yang, Gaoqiang & Mo, Jingke & Kang, Zhenye & Dohrmann, Yeshi & List, Frederick A. & Green, Johney B. & Babu, Sudarsanam S. & Zhang, Feng-Yuan, 2018. "Fully printed and integrated electrolyzer cells with additive manufacturing for high-efficiency water splitting," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C), pages 202-210.
    9. Bhosale, Amit C. & Ghosh, Prakash C. & Assaud, Loïc, 2020. "Preparation methods of membrane electrode assemblies for proton exchange membrane fuel cells and unitized regenerative fuel cells: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Samir De, Biswajit & Cunningham, Joshua & Khare, Neeraj & Luo, Jing-Li & Elias, Anastasia & Basu, Suddhasatwa, 2022. "Hydrogen generation and utilization in a two-phase flow membraneless microfluidic electrolyzer-fuel cell tandem operation for micropower application," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    2. Park, Jaeman & Oh, Hwanyeong & Lee, Yoo Il & Min, Kyoungdoug & Lee, Eunsook & Jyoung, Jy-Young, 2016. "Effect of the pore size variation in the substrate of the gas diffusion layer on water management and fuel cell performance," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 200-212.
    3. Zhang, Xiaoqing & Yang, Jiapei & Ma, Xiao & Zhuge, Weilin & Shuai, Shijin, 2022. "Modelling and analysis on effects of penetration of microporous layer into gas diffusion layer in PEM fuel cells: Focusing on mass transport," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PA).
    4. Zhao, Jian & Shahgaldi, Samaneh & Alaefour, Ibrahim & Xu, Qian & Li, Xianguo, 2018. "Gas permeability of catalyzed electrodes in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 203-210.
    5. Wang, Qianqian & Tang, Fumin & Li, Bing & Dai, Haifeng & Zheng, Jim P. & Zhang, Cunman & Ming, Pingwen, 2022. "Investigation of the thermal responses under gas channel and land inside proton exchange membrane fuel cell with assembly pressure," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 308(C).
    6. Vasile, Nicolò S. & Doherty, Ronan & Monteverde Videla, Alessandro H.A. & Specchia, Stefania, 2016. "3D multi-physics modeling of a gas diffusion electrode for oxygen reduction reaction for electrochemical energy conversion in PEM fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 435-450.
    7. Niu, Zhiqiang & Bao, Zhiming & Wu, Jingtian & Wang, Yun & Jiao, Kui, 2018. "Two-phase flow in the mixed-wettability gas diffusion layer of proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 232(C), pages 443-450.
    8. Qiu, Diankai & Janßen, Holger & Peng, Linfa & Irmscher, Philipp & Lai, Xinmin & Lehnert, Werner, 2018. "Electrical resistance and microstructure of typical gas diffusion layers for proton exchange membrane fuel cell under compression," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C), pages 127-137.
    9. Wu, Horng-Wen & Shih, Gin-Jang & Chen, Yi-Bin, 2018. "Effect of operational parameters on transport and performance of a PEM fuel cell with the best protrusive gas diffusion layer arrangement," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 47-58.
    10. Wan, Zhongmin & Liu, Jing & Luo, Zhiping & Tu, Zhengkai & Liu, Zhichun & Liu, Wei, 2013. "Evaluation of self-water-removal in a dead-ended proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 751-757.
    11. Liao, Shuxin & Qiu, Diankai & Yi, Peiyun & Peng, Linfa & Lai, Xinmin, 2022. "Modeling of a novel cathode flow field design with optimized sub-channels to improve drainage for proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(PB).
    12. Pantò, Fabiola & Siracusano, Stefania & Briguglio, Nicola & Aricò, Antonino Salvatore, 2020. "Durability of a recombination catalyst-based membrane-electrode assembly for electrolysis operation at high current density," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
    13. Blandy Pamplona Solis & Julio César Cruz Argüello & Leopoldo Gómez Barba & Mayra Polett Gurrola & Zakaryaa Zarhri & Danna Lizeth TrejoArroyo, 2019. "Bibliometric Analysis of the Mass Transport in a Gas Diffusion Layer in PEM Fuel Cells," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-18, November.
    14. Yan, Xiaohui & Lin, Chen & Zheng, Zhifeng & Chen, Junren & Wei, Guanghua & Zhang, Junliang, 2020. "Effect of clamping pressure on liquid-cooled PEMFC stack performance considering inhomogeneous gas diffusion layer compression," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    15. Oh, Hwanyeong & Park, Jaeman & Min, Kyoungdoug & Lee, Eunsook & Jyoung, Jy-Young, 2015. "Effects of pore size gradient in the substrate of a gas diffusion layer on the performance of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 186-193.
    16. Pei, Pucheng & Chen, Huicui, 2014. "Main factors affecting the lifetime of Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells in vehicle applications: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 60-75.
    17. Guida, D. & Minutillo, M., 2017. "Design methodology for a PEM fuel cell power system in a more electrical aircraft," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 446-456.
    18. Abdollahipour, Armin & Sayyaadi, Hoseyn, 2022. "A novel electrochemical refrigeration system based on the combined proton exchange membrane fuel cell-electrolyzer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    19. Hou, Yuze & Deng, Hao & Pan, Fengwen & Chen, Wenmiao & Du, Qing & Jiao, Kui, 2019. "Pore-scale investigation of catalyst layer ingredient and structure effect in proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C), pages 1-1.
    20. Huo, Sen & Cooper, Nathanial James & Smith, Travis Lee & Park, Jae Wan & Jiao, Kui, 2017. "Experimental investigation on PEM fuel cell cold start behavior containing porous metal foam as cathode flow distributor," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C), pages 101-114.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:177:y:2016:i:c:p:817-822. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.