Analysis of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) by environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM)

To date, the available equipment for characterising the microstructure of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is still not well developed. For example, applying the normal scanning electron microscope (SEM) only provides information on the dry structure of MEAs. This paper presents a microstructure an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of power sources 2005-08, Vol.145 (2), p.216-222
Main Authors: Yu, H.M., Schumacher, J.O., Zobel, M., Hebling, C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Degradation
Energy
Energy. Thermal use of fuels
Environmental scanning electron microscope
Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc
Exact sciences and technology
Fuel cells
Microstructure
PEM fuel cell membrane electrode assembly
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Summary:To date, the available equipment for characterising the microstructure of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is still not well developed. For example, applying the normal scanning electron microscope (SEM) only provides information on the dry structure of MEAs. This paper presents a microstructure analysis method of MEAs in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). The microstructure analysis in this paper utilises the environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM), which shows its advantage on the sample microstructure analysis in wet mode. When water is present, the characteristics of the MEA, especially the hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic properties, are distinguishable on the ESEM images. With proper temperature and pressure control, the water distribution within both the membrane and the catalyst layer can be viewed by ESEM. Based on ESEM measurement and mercury porosity measurement, the distributions of hydrophobic and hydrophilic pores in MEA have been analyzed. By means of ESEM and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), a degraded MEA is characterized. The microstructure change of the degraded MEA has been discussed. The results provide helpful information for the understanding of MEAs in PEMFC.
ISSN:0378-7753
1873-2755
DOI:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2004.12.069