Laser scribed proton exchange membranes for enhanced fuel cell performance and stability

Jianuo Chen, Xuekun Lu, Lingtao Wang, Wenjia Du, Hengyi Guo, Max Rimmer, Heng Zhai, Yuhan Liu, Paul R. Shearing, Sarah J. Haigh, Stuart M. Holmes and Thomas S. Miller ()
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Jianuo Chen: University College London
Xuekun Lu: Queen Mary University of London
Lingtao Wang: University of Manchester
Wenjia Du: University College London
Hengyi Guo: University of Manchester
Max Rimmer: University of Manchester
Heng Zhai: University of Manchester
Yuhan Liu: University College London
Paul R. Shearing: University of Oxford
Sarah J. Haigh: University of Manchester
Stuart M. Holmes: University of Manchester
Thomas S. Miller: University College London

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: Abstract High-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) offer solutions to challenges intrinsic to low-temperature PEMFCs, such as complex water management, fuel inflexibility, and thermal integration. However, they are hindered by phosphoric acid (PA) leaching and catalyst migration, which destabilize the critical three-phase interface within the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). This study presents an innovative approach to enhance HT-PEMFC performance through membrane modification using picosecond laser scribing, which optimises the three-phase interface by forming a graphene-like structure that mitigates PA leaching. Our results demonstrate that laser-induced modification of PA-doped membranes, particularly on the cathode side, significantly enhances the performance and durability of HT-PEMFCs, achieving a peak power density of 817.2 mW cm⁻² after accelerated stress testing, representing a notable 58.2% increase compared to untreated membranes. Furthermore, a comprehensive three-dimensional multi-physics model, based on X-ray micro-computed tomography data, was employed to visualise and quantify the impact of this laser treatment on the dynamic electrochemical processes within the MEA. Hence, this work provides both a scalable methodology to stabilise an important future membrane technology, and a clear mechanistic understanding of how this targeted laser modification acts to optimise the three-phase interface of HT-PEMFCs, which can have impact across a wide array of applications.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-55070-8

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