Water Management in the PEM Fuel Cell by Incorporating a Novel Siloxane Polymer in the Electrode Layer

The purpose of this work was to alleviate the water issue present in Nafion¿¿-based PEM fuel cells operating at low relative humidity conditions by employing a hydrophilic substance COMP-1 in the electrode layer. This modified electrode was hypothesized to prevent the cell from dehydrating by retaining water in the catalyst layer. The improvement would accelerate PEM fuel cell technology to be commercialized in the automotive sector. Through evaluating the important overpotentials dominated by kinetic, ohmic resistance and mass transport limitations, the results show a positive influence of COMP-1 at 50% to 60% RH conditions, but it is not clear that water retention is the cause.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemical Engineering (Engineering and Technology)

Grantor dc:publisher

Ohio University

Year dc:date

2012

Author dc:creator

• Yen, Shen-An

Contributors dc:contributor

• Young, Valerie

• Alternative Energy
• Chemical Engineering
• Energy
• Engineering
• PEM fuel cell
• Electrode Engineering
• Water Management
• Nafion Eledtrolyte
• Composite Electrode

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1353000604

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:ohiou1353000604