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| Home > Publications database > Nanomechanical and Nanoelectrical Analysis of the Proton Exchange Membrane WaterElectrolyzer Anode – Impact of Reinforcement Fibers and Porous Transport Layer |
| Home > Publications database > Nanomechanical and Nanoelectrical Analysis of the Proton Exchange Membrane WaterElectrolyzer Anode – Impact of Reinforcement Fibers and Porous Transport Layer |
| Conference Presentation (After Call) | FZJ-2025-04848 |
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2025
Abstract: Understanding the degradation of proton exchange membrane electrolyzer cells (PEMECs) is critical fordurability improvements. In this work,[1] a large-scale web-woven reinforced membrane electrode assembly(MEA) anode, was long-term operated (>5000 hours) and analyzed by nanomechanical and nanoelectricalatomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques and nanoindentation. The web-woven fibers were found to locallyenhance the reduced modulus and hardness, making them an effective reinforcement for extended operation.Notably, both pristine and operated anodes exhibited slightly reduced electrically conductive surface areasat intersections of reinforcement fibers. While the pristine anode was initially homogeneous, it heterogenizedupon operation, showing additional domains related to the porous transport layer (PTL) and increasedstatistical deviations. Nanoindentation revealed an increased reduced modulus and hardness upon operation,accompanied by a near surface stiffening of the catalyst shown by AFM. This effect is promoted by the lossof low-stiffness ionomer. Confirmed by the increase of electrically conductive anode surface area. The most pronounced aging effects were observed only at a small fraction of the surface, particularly at specific PTL-related features. This study provides the first detailed analysis of a web-woven fiber-reinforced MEA, offeringnew insights into anode aging mechanisms associated with reinforcement fibers and PTL.[1] Borowec, Julian, et al. “Nanomechanical and Nanoelectrical Analysis of the Proton Exchange MembraneWater Electrolyzer Anode—Impact of Reinforcement Fibers and Porous Transport Layer.” Journal of MaterialsChemistry A (2025). DOI: 10.1039/D4TA07367C
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