A Review of the Transition Region of Membrane Electrode Assembly of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Design, Degradation, and Mitigation
As the core component of a proton exchange fuel cell (PEMFC), a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) consists of function region (active area), structure region, and transition region. Situated between the function and structure regions, the transition region influences the reliability and durability o...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Membranes |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/12/3/306 |
| _version_ | 1797445116336537600 |
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| author | Daijun Yang Yongle Tan Bing Li Pingwen Ming Qiangfeng Xiao Cunman Zhang |
| author_facet | Daijun Yang Yongle Tan Bing Li Pingwen Ming Qiangfeng Xiao Cunman Zhang |
| author_sort | Daijun Yang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | As the core component of a proton exchange fuel cell (PEMFC), a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) consists of function region (active area), structure region, and transition region. Situated between the function and structure regions, the transition region influences the reliability and durability of the MEA. The degradation of the electrolyte membrane in this region can be induced by mechanical stress and chemical aggression. Therefore, prudent design, reliable and robust structure of the transition region can greatly help avoid early failure of MEAs. This review begins with the summarization of current structural concepts of MEAs, focusing on the transition region structures. It can be seen that aiming at better repeatability and robustness, partly or total integration of the materials in the transition region is becoming a development trend. Next the degradation problem at the transition region is introduced, which can be attributed to the hygro-thermal environment, free radical aggression, air pressure shock, and seal material decomposition. Finally, the mitigation approaches for the deterioration at this region are summarized, with a principle of avoiding the exposure of the membrane at the edge of the catalyst-coated membrane (CCM). Besides, durability test methods of the transition region are included in this review, among which temperature and humidity cycling are frequently used. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T13:22:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-19199975ad1a4e2aaaa0daba6fe73ab4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0375 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T13:22:03Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Membranes |
| spelling | doaj.art-19199975ad1a4e2aaaa0daba6fe73ab42023-11-30T21:28:36ZengMDPI AGMembranes2077-03752022-03-0112330610.3390/membranes12030306A Review of the Transition Region of Membrane Electrode Assembly of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Design, Degradation, and MitigationDaijun Yang0Yongle Tan1Bing Li2Pingwen Ming3Qiangfeng Xiao4Cunman Zhang5School of Automotive Studies & Clean Energy Automotive Engineering Center, Tongji University, 4800 Cao’an Road, Shanghai 201804, ChinaSchool of Automotive Studies & Clean Energy Automotive Engineering Center, Tongji University, 4800 Cao’an Road, Shanghai 201804, ChinaSchool of Automotive Studies & Clean Energy Automotive Engineering Center, Tongji University, 4800 Cao’an Road, Shanghai 201804, ChinaSchool of Automotive Studies & Clean Energy Automotive Engineering Center, Tongji University, 4800 Cao’an Road, Shanghai 201804, ChinaSchool of Automotive Studies & Clean Energy Automotive Engineering Center, Tongji University, 4800 Cao’an Road, Shanghai 201804, ChinaSchool of Automotive Studies & Clean Energy Automotive Engineering Center, Tongji University, 4800 Cao’an Road, Shanghai 201804, ChinaAs the core component of a proton exchange fuel cell (PEMFC), a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) consists of function region (active area), structure region, and transition region. Situated between the function and structure regions, the transition region influences the reliability and durability of the MEA. The degradation of the electrolyte membrane in this region can be induced by mechanical stress and chemical aggression. Therefore, prudent design, reliable and robust structure of the transition region can greatly help avoid early failure of MEAs. This review begins with the summarization of current structural concepts of MEAs, focusing on the transition region structures. It can be seen that aiming at better repeatability and robustness, partly or total integration of the materials in the transition region is becoming a development trend. Next the degradation problem at the transition region is introduced, which can be attributed to the hygro-thermal environment, free radical aggression, air pressure shock, and seal material decomposition. Finally, the mitigation approaches for the deterioration at this region are summarized, with a principle of avoiding the exposure of the membrane at the edge of the catalyst-coated membrane (CCM). Besides, durability test methods of the transition region are included in this review, among which temperature and humidity cycling are frequently used.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/12/3/306proton exchange membrane fuel cellmembrane electrode assemblytransition regiondurabilitydegradationmitigation |
| spellingShingle | Daijun Yang Yongle Tan Bing Li Pingwen Ming Qiangfeng Xiao Cunman Zhang A Review of the Transition Region of Membrane Electrode Assembly of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Design, Degradation, and Mitigation Membranes proton exchange membrane fuel cell membrane electrode assembly transition region durability degradation mitigation |
| title | A Review of the Transition Region of Membrane Electrode Assembly of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Design, Degradation, and Mitigation |
| title_full | A Review of the Transition Region of Membrane Electrode Assembly of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Design, Degradation, and Mitigation |
| title_fullStr | A Review of the Transition Region of Membrane Electrode Assembly of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Design, Degradation, and Mitigation |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Review of the Transition Region of Membrane Electrode Assembly of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Design, Degradation, and Mitigation |
| title_short | A Review of the Transition Region of Membrane Electrode Assembly of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Design, Degradation, and Mitigation |
| title_sort | review of the transition region of membrane electrode assembly of proton exchange membrane fuel cells design degradation and mitigation |
| topic | proton exchange membrane fuel cell membrane electrode assembly transition region durability degradation mitigation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/12/3/306 |
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