3D Water Management in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells toward Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles
Wataru Yoshimune, Yuki Higuchi, Akihiko Kato, S. Hibi, S. Yamaguchi, Yoshihiro Matsumoto, Hirotoshi Hayashida, Hiroshi Nozaki, T. Shinohara, Satoru Kato
Abstract
A multiscale water visualization technique for polymer electrolyte fuel cells was established by using operando multiprobe radiography with pulsed spallation neutron and synchrotron X-ray sources. The three-dimensional water distribution revealed that water back-diffusion from the cathode to the anode significantly contributes to the “drainability” of practical polymer electrolyte fuel cells toward fuel cell electric vehicles.
Topics & Concepts
Neutron imagingElectrolyteAnodeCathodeFuel cellsMaterials sciencePolymerProton exchange membrane fuel cellWater transportSynchrotronNuclear engineeringChemical engineeringNeutronEnvironmental scienceChemistryComposite materialEnvironmental engineeringWater flowOpticsNuclear physicsPhysicsElectrodeEngineeringPhysical chemistryFuel Cells and Related MaterialsElectrocatalysts for Energy ConversionConducting polymers and applications