Advanced Materials for Hydrogen Fuel Cells Safety Enhancement under Caustic Operation Conditions

Hydrogen energy, as a kind of efficient and clean energy, can simultaneously alleviate the energy crisis and reduce environmental pollution and has become the focus of global renewable energy development. Hydrogen-powered polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) with the advantages of high chemical to electrical energy conversion efficiency, low operating temperature, and near-zero pollution have been widely researched and developed to be the most suitable power source for electric vehicles (EV), aviation, residential backup power, as well as energy storage applications up to grid-scale.

An intrinsic issue of hydrogen polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) where the inlet gas pressure difference between anode and cathode causes damage to the membrane during caustic operation conditions, especially when they are used for aircraft or submarines. A precautionary method has never been applied to eliminate this phenomenon. Novel membranes with higher mechanical and chemical strength can solve this issue. New PEM membranes will be developed to increase such properties to against any damage caused by pressure attack, load or vibration etc. because of caustic operation conditions. It will also allow pressurised fuel supply which improves mass transfer and overall energy output.

Hydrogen-sensitive coating will be applied on the surface of cathode flow field channels and pressure monitoring electronics will be embedded on the membrane, gas diffusion layer (GDL) and for in-situ pressure, leakage and humidity monitoring, avoiding the need for bulky and expensive externally connected to control and management systems.