Uncovering Key Parameters in Perfluorosulfonic Acid (PFSA) Membrane Fuel Cells to Enhance Performance
The conversion of chemical energy to electricity in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is essential for replacing fossil fuel engines and achieving net-zero CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. In the pursuit of more efficient PEMFCs, certain often-overlooked parameters significantly infl...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/3/65 |
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| author | Valdecir A. Paganin Alan M. P. Sakita Thiago Lopes Edson A. Ticianelli Joelma Perez |
| author_facet | Valdecir A. Paganin Alan M. P. Sakita Thiago Lopes Edson A. Ticianelli Joelma Perez |
| author_sort | Valdecir A. Paganin |
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| description | The conversion of chemical energy to electricity in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is essential for replacing fossil fuel engines and achieving net-zero CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. In the pursuit of more efficient PEMFCs, certain often-overlooked parameters significantly influence cell performance by either weakening the interaction between the catalytic layer (CL) and the membrane or restricting gas access to the CL. This study examines the effects of cell tightening and hot-pressing conditions on three similar-thickness perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes: Aquivion<sup>®</sup>, Fumapem, and Nafion<sup>®</sup>. The results reveal that the hot-pressing method employing higher pressure and a lower temperature (125C method) yields lower fuel cell performance compared to the method utilizing a higher temperature and lower pressure (145C method). Furthermore, incorporating cellulose paper as a pressure homogenizer in the MEA preparation setup significantly improved current density by approximately 2.5 times compared to the traditional assembly method. Cyclic voltammetry with Ar-feed in the cathode showed that all prepared MEAs exhibited a similar platinum surface area; however, MEAs pressed at higher temperatures displayed slightly lower hydrogen desorption charge values. The torque applied to the bolts does not show a consistent trend in fuel cell performance, but optimal torque values can enhance PEMFC performance under certain conditions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a95c76e5bd2b4bb7bcdb2a83d62ccf2c |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2077-0375 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Membranes |
| spelling | doaj-art-a95c76e5bd2b4bb7bcdb2a83d62ccf2c2025-08-20T02:42:22ZengMDPI AGMembranes2077-03752025-02-011536510.3390/membranes15030065Uncovering Key Parameters in Perfluorosulfonic Acid (PFSA) Membrane Fuel Cells to Enhance PerformanceValdecir A. Paganin0Alan M. P. Sakita1Thiago Lopes2Edson A. Ticianelli3Joelma Perez4São Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 13560-970, BrazilSão Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 13560-970, BrazilResearch Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation—RCGI and Escola Politecnica, University of São Paulo, Av. Professor Mello Moraes, São Paulo 13560-970, BrazilSão Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 13560-970, BrazilSão Carlos Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 13560-970, BrazilThe conversion of chemical energy to electricity in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is essential for replacing fossil fuel engines and achieving net-zero CO<sub>2</sub> emissions. In the pursuit of more efficient PEMFCs, certain often-overlooked parameters significantly influence cell performance by either weakening the interaction between the catalytic layer (CL) and the membrane or restricting gas access to the CL. This study examines the effects of cell tightening and hot-pressing conditions on three similar-thickness perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes: Aquivion<sup>®</sup>, Fumapem, and Nafion<sup>®</sup>. The results reveal that the hot-pressing method employing higher pressure and a lower temperature (125C method) yields lower fuel cell performance compared to the method utilizing a higher temperature and lower pressure (145C method). Furthermore, incorporating cellulose paper as a pressure homogenizer in the MEA preparation setup significantly improved current density by approximately 2.5 times compared to the traditional assembly method. Cyclic voltammetry with Ar-feed in the cathode showed that all prepared MEAs exhibited a similar platinum surface area; however, MEAs pressed at higher temperatures displayed slightly lower hydrogen desorption charge values. The torque applied to the bolts does not show a consistent trend in fuel cell performance, but optimal torque values can enhance PEMFC performance under certain conditions.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/3/65PFSA membraneshot-pressingcell tighteningPEMFCscell performancepressure homogenizer |
| spellingShingle | Valdecir A. Paganin Alan M. P. Sakita Thiago Lopes Edson A. Ticianelli Joelma Perez Uncovering Key Parameters in Perfluorosulfonic Acid (PFSA) Membrane Fuel Cells to Enhance Performance Membranes PFSA membranes hot-pressing cell tightening PEMFCs cell performance pressure homogenizer |
| title | Uncovering Key Parameters in Perfluorosulfonic Acid (PFSA) Membrane Fuel Cells to Enhance Performance |
| title_full | Uncovering Key Parameters in Perfluorosulfonic Acid (PFSA) Membrane Fuel Cells to Enhance Performance |
| title_fullStr | Uncovering Key Parameters in Perfluorosulfonic Acid (PFSA) Membrane Fuel Cells to Enhance Performance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Uncovering Key Parameters in Perfluorosulfonic Acid (PFSA) Membrane Fuel Cells to Enhance Performance |
| title_short | Uncovering Key Parameters in Perfluorosulfonic Acid (PFSA) Membrane Fuel Cells to Enhance Performance |
| title_sort | uncovering key parameters in perfluorosulfonic acid pfsa membrane fuel cells to enhance performance |
| topic | PFSA membranes hot-pressing cell tightening PEMFCs cell performance pressure homogenizer |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/15/3/65 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT valdecirapaganin uncoveringkeyparametersinperfluorosulfonicacidpfsamembranefuelcellstoenhanceperformance AT alanmpsakita uncoveringkeyparametersinperfluorosulfonicacidpfsamembranefuelcellstoenhanceperformance AT thiagolopes uncoveringkeyparametersinperfluorosulfonicacidpfsamembranefuelcellstoenhanceperformance AT edsonaticianelli uncoveringkeyparametersinperfluorosulfonicacidpfsamembranefuelcellstoenhanceperformance AT joelmaperez uncoveringkeyparametersinperfluorosulfonicacidpfsamembranefuelcellstoenhanceperformance |