Abstract:

The mechanical properties of the membranes used in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are important to the performance and longevity of the cell. The speed and extent of membrane water uptake depend on the membrane's viscoelastic mechanical properties, which are themselves dependent on membrane hydration, and increased hydration improves membrane proton conductivity and fuel cell performance. Membrane mechanical properties also affect durability and cell longevity, preventing membrane failure from stresses induced by changing temperature and water content during operational cycling. Further, membrane creep and stress-relaxation can change the extent of membrane/electrode contact, also changing cell behavior. New composite membrane materials have exhibited superior performance in fuel cells, and it is suspected that improved mechanical properties are responsible.

Studies of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell dynamics using Nafion membranes have demonstrated the importance of membrane mechanical properties, swelling and water-absorption behavior to cell performance. Nonlinear and delayed dynamic responses to changing operating parameters were unexpected, but reminiscent of polymer viscoelastic behavior and water sorption dynamics, illustrating the need to better understand membrane properties to design and operate fuel cells. Further, Nafion/TiO2 composite membranes developed by the Princeton Chemistry Department improve fuel cell performance, which may be due to changes in membrane microstructure and enhanced mechanical properties.

Mechanical properties, stress-relaxation behavior, water sorption and desorption rates and pressures exerted during hydration by a confined membrane have been measured for Nafion and for Nafion/TiO2 composite membranes. Mechanical properties, including the Young's modulus and limits of elastic deformation are dependent on temperature and membrane water content. The Young's modulus decreases with increasing water content and temperature, is less temperature-dependent in hydrated membranes than dry membranes and is slightly higher in the composite membranes. Stress-relaxation also follows two distinct behaviors depending on its temperature, humidity and degree of strain. The water sorption and desorption dynamics are not controlled by diffusion rates but by interfacial mass transport resistance and, during sorption, by the kinetics of swelling and stress-relaxation. Pressure exerted by a swelling membrane scales with membrane thickness, is slightly higher for the composite membranes and is relevant to fuel cell design.