Electrochemical investigation of stainless steel corrosion in a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer cell. (28th September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mo, Jingke; Steen, Stuart M.; Zhang, Feng-Yuan; Toops, Todd J.; Brady, Michael P.; Green, Johney B.
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 40:Number 36(2015)
• Page Start: 12506
• Page End: 12511
• Publication Date: 2015-09-28
• Subjects: Corrosion -- Membrane electrode assembly -- Proton exchange membrane electrolyzer/fuel cells -- Gas diffusion layer -- X-ray diffraction -- Iron transport and deposition; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2015.07.061
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: The lack of a fundamental understanding of the corrosion mechanisms in the electrochemical environments of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer and/or fuel cells (ECs/FCs) has seriously hindered the improvement of performance and efficiency of PEM ECs/FCs. In this study, a stainless steel mesh was purposely used as an anode gas diffusion layer that was intentionally operated with high positive potentials under harsh oxidative environments in a PEMEC to study the corrosion mechanism of metal migration. A significant amount of iron and nickel cations were determined to transport through the anode catalyst layer, the PEM and the cathode catalyst layer during the PEMEC operation. The formation/deposition of iron oxide and nickel oxide on the carbon paper gas diffusion layer at the cathode side is first revealed by both scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. The results indicate the corrosion elements of iron and nickel are transported from anode to cathode through the catalyst-coated membrane, and deposited on carbon fibers as oxides. This phenomenon could also open a new corrosion-based processing approach to potentially fabricate multifunctional oxide structures on carbon fiber devices. This study has demonstrated a new accelerated test method for investigating the corrosion and durability of metallic materials as well. Highlights: Fe/Ni deposits on the carbon fibers was observed for the first time (See Figure 2B and C). A significant amount of Fe/Ni transport through CLs and PEM. A new accelerated/effective method to investigate corrosion mechanisms. Potential method to fabricate multifunctional devices with single carbon fiber.