Frontiers in Energy Research (Nov 2024)
Fluoride emission rate analysis in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer cells
Abstract
The assessment of PEM water electrolyzer (PEMWE) degradation is essential for understanding their long-term durability and performance under real-world conditions. This research focuses on the fluoride emission rate (FER) as a crucial parameter during PEMWE operation. Two different FER analysis methods were evaluated, considering their feasibility and ease of integration into a PEMWE system. Various stressors were examined to gain insights into membrane degradation and explore potential mitigation strategies. The utilization of a photometric detection method allowed for the quantification of FER in each test. Results highlight a noteworthy correlation between applied stressors and FER, with variations depending on specific test conditions. An accelerated stress test conducted for 100 hours revealed a high FER at the anode of 0.83 μg h−1 cm−2 during the initial phase. Correspondingly, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) mapping showed a reduction in Nafion™ content on the catalyst-coated membrane (CCM) surfaces, likely impacting proton conductivity and performance. Electrochemical results further support these findings, indicating performance changes corresponding to the observed membrane degradation.
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