TY  - CONF
AU  - Borowec, Julian
AU  - Rein, Lukas
AU  - Poc, Jean-Pierre
AU  - Gorin, Nelli
AU  - Basak, Shibabrata
AU  - Dobrenizki, Ladislaus
AU  - Schmid, Günter
AU  - Jodat, Eva
AU  - Karl, André
AU  - Eichel, Rüdiger-A.
AU  - Hausen, Florian
TI  - Nanomechanical and Nanoelectrical Analysis of Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer Electrodes
M1  - FZJ-2025-04849
PY  - 2025
AB  - Understanding the aging process of proton exchange membrane electrolyzer cells(PEMECs) is crucial for improving their durability. To this end, a more than 5000 h operatedweb-woven reinforced membrane electrode assembly (MEA) was investigated usingnanoindentation and nanomechanical and nanoelectrical atomic force microscopy (AFM)techniques. Within this work, investigations on the MEA anode are presented,[1] and areextended by analysis of the MEA cathode for a more complete understanding of electrodeaging.The web-woven reinforcement fibers locally increase the nanomechanical properties andwere found to be a suitable reinforcement for long-term operation. Strikingly, a slightlydiminished electrically conductive surface area was observed above reinforcement fiberintersections highlighting a local fiber influence.While the cathode slightly hardened and heterogenized, the surface ionomer exhibited astable nature. To the contrary, significant anode aging was observed, especially at poroustransport layer (PTL) related marks. At these marks, an increased conductive surface areawas shown by AFM, and a hardness increase was shown by nanoindentation. These effectson the anode are attributed to a loss of electrically conductive and soft ionomer.This work enhances the understanding of electrode aging focusing on the impact ofreinforcement fibers and PTL.[1] Borowec, Julian, et al, J. Mater. Chem. A, 2025, 13, 6347-6356.
T2  - European Fuel Cell Forum 2025
CY  - 1 Jul 2025 - 4 Jul 2025, Lucerne (Switzerland)
Y2  - 1 Jul 2025 - 4 Jul 2025
M2  - Lucerne, Switzerland
LB  - PUB:(DE-HGF)6
UR  - https://juser.fz-juelich.de/record/1048727
ER  -