Observation of Preferential Pathways for Oxygen Removal through Porous Transport Layers of Polymer Electrolyte Water Electrolyzers

Autor: Pongsarun Satjaritanun, Maeve O'Brien, Devashish Kulkarni, Sirivatch Shimpalee, Cristopher Capuano, Katherine E. Ayers, Nemanja Danilovic, Dilworth Y. Parkinson, Iryna V. Zenyuk
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2020
Předmět:
Zdroj: iScience, Vol 23, Iss 12, Pp 101783- (2020)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2589-0042
DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101783
Popis: Summary: Understanding the relationships between porous transport layer (PTL) morphology and oxygen removal is essential to improve the polymer electrolyte water electrolyzer (PEWE) performance. Operando X-ray computed tomography and machine learning were performed on a model electrolyzer at different water flow rates and current densities to determine how these operating conditions alter oxygen transport in the PTLs. We report a direct observation of oxygen taking preferential pathways through the PTL, regardless of the water flow rate or current density (1-4 A/cm2). Oxygen distribution in the PTL had a periodic behavior with period of 400 μm. A computational fluid dynamics model was used to predict oxygen distribution in the PTL showing periodic oxygen front. Observed oxygen distribution is due to low in-plane PTL tortuosity and high porosity enabling merging of oxygen bubbles in the middle of the PTL and also due to aerophobicity of the layer.
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