Carbon Loss in the Cathode Catalyst Support of
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Andrew Maslyn
OPT407: Electron Microscopy
Spring 2011
Final Project

University of Rochester
Dept. of Chemical Engineering

General Motors
Electrochemical Energy Research Lab

Intro to Fuel Cells and Carbon Corrosion
Sample Preparation and Imaging Methods
Thickness Measurement Results and Discussion
Structural Analysis Results and Discussion
References and Acknowledgements

References

1. O.V. Cherstiouk et al., Microstructure effects on the electrochemical corrosion of carbon materials and carbon-supported Pt catalysts, Electrochimica Acta, Volume 55, Issue 28, 1 December 2010, Pages 8453-8460, ISSN 0013-4686, DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2010.07.047.
   
   
2. Liu, Z.Y., Brady, B.K., Carter, R.N., Litteer, B., Budinski, M., Hyun, J.K., Muller, D.A., Characterization of carbon corrosion-induced structural damage of PEM fuel cell cathode electrodes caused by local fuel starvation, (2008) Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 155 (10), pp. B979-B984.
   
   
3. S. Maass et al., Carbon support oxidation in PEM fuel cell cathodes, Journal of Power Sources, Volume 176, Issue 2, Selected Papers presented at the 10th ULM ElectroChemical Days - W. Tillmetz, J. Lindenmayer, 10th ULM ElectroChemical Days, 1 February 2008, Pages 444-451, ISSN 0378-7753, DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2007.08.053.
   
   
4. Wang, Y. et al., A review of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells: Technology, applications, and needs on fundamental research, (2011) Applied Energy, 88 (4), pp. 981-1007.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Paul Yu at General Motors Electrochemical Energy Research Lab for providing the samples imaged in this study. I would also like to thank Jim Mitchell and Mary Ann Sweikart for taking the time to educate me on sample preparation and allowing me the use of the necessary equipment, including GM's environmental SEM. I would like to thank Mike Theisen for his expert guidance on U of R's SEM and the humility he taught me at every session. Finally, I would like to thank Brian McIntyre for imparting his vast experience and most importantly his undeniable enthusiasm for the wonder that is microscopy, I truly look at things differently after taking this class and it has been a wonderful experience.

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