Hydrogen Days 2024 – CNR-ITAE

Stefania Siracusano, senior researcher at CNR-ITAE, presented the latest publication on membrane-electrode assembly development during the 14th International Conference on Hydrogen Technologies which took place in Prague (Czech Republic) between March 20th – 24th 2024. The findings of the study, carried out in collaboration with scientists at Syensqo, significantly contribute to the ADVANCEPEM project objectives on catalysts, membrane and MEA development for operation at high current density. 


Abstract 

A membrane-electrode assembly based on the chemically stabilised short-side-chain proton exchange Aquivion® membrane containing a Cerium (Ce)-radical scavenger was investigated for operation at a high current density with a reduced concentration of H2 in O2 and with improved stability in a water electrolysis (WE) cell. However, at the beginning of life, the performances were low due to the exchange of protons with Ce ions from the radical scavenger, and it was observed that the performance improved with time, making this system more efficient than an extruded and reinforced membranes with similar equivalent weight (EW) of 980 g/eq and a thickness of 50 μm. Moreover, a lower H2 concentration in O2 was observed for the Ce-based membrane compared to the bare membrane-based MEAs.  

The present study demonstrates that membrane manufacturing and the presence of a Ce nanofiller significantly influence the properties at the interface with the electrodes in a PEM WE cell. In particular, the Ce-based radical scavenger-based perfluorosulfonic acid Aquivion® membrane provided excellent resilience to degradation and a lower H2 content in the O2 stream. An increase in performance during a 3,500 h durability test indicated that the nanofiller was effective in improving the system’s stability. 

 

Figure 1 - Stefania Siracusano, senior researcher at CNR-ITAE, presenting the latest journal publication at the Hydrogen Days 2024 in Prague (Czech Republic).