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The performance and mechanism of multi-step activation of MEA for DMFC

Authors :
Tongtao Wang
Meng Wang
Yituo Wang
Xindong Wang
Tingting Zhao
Guicheng Liu
Jianling Li
Junyuan Xu
Source :
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 35:12341-12345
Publication Year :
2010
Publisher :
Elsevier BV, 2010.

Abstract

Membrane electrode assembly (MEA) after hot-pressing could not achieve its best performance before activated properly because the passages for protons, electrons, reactants and products in the MEA are not constituted completely. In this research, effective multi-step activation for MEA was proposed and the mechanism was discussed. The process includes three steps: methanol activation at room temperature, forced activation at intermediate temperature and proton activation at intermediate temperature. The performance of the MEA was correspondingly improved and reached respectively 54 mW cm−2, 61 mW cm−2, 78 mW cm−2, after each step of the activation. Apparently the performance was greatly enhanced by multi-step activation. The activation process of MEA is not only a process of the humidification of the proton exchange membrane but also a complex process for the establishment of the channels for electrons, ions, gases and liquids. Furthermore the conduction of electrons, ions and the transportation of the reactants and products are enhanced while the micro-structure of the MEA is kept stable.

Details

ISSN :
03603199
Volume :
35
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........e56d14777d44e513010cb589cf69ba5a
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2010.08.108