PEM Fuel cell

PEM Fuel Cell Durability:

Working with the electro-chemist, Professor John Van Zee of the Department of Chemical Engineering, we study the structural integrity of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells including packaging, seal/gasket degradation, overall stack durability. Focuses have been on the mechanical and chemical characterization of off-the-shelf and characterization and synthesis of new seal/gasket materials for PEM fuel cell applications.

A single PEM fuel cell

Chemical degradation of Silicone rubber seal material

Comparison of ATR-FTIR test results for samples exposed to ADT solution at 80 °C with compressive load: (a) without exposure, after (b) 3-week, (c) 5-week, (d) 7-week, (e) 10-week and (f) 12-week exposure. ATR-FTIR spectra from (A) 800 cm⁻¹ to 1450 cm⁻¹ and (B) 2500 cm⁻¹ to 3500 cm⁻¹.

Representative Publications

Tan, J., Chao, Y.J., Li, Xiaodong, and Van Zee, J.W., “Degradation of Silicone Rubber under Compression in a Simulated Fuel Cell Environment,” Journal of Power Sources, 172(2007) 782-789.
Tan, Jinzhu, Chao, Y. J., Van Zee, J. W., and Lee, W.K.,” Degradation of Elastomeric Gasket Materials in PEM Fuel Cells,” Materials Science and Engineering A, 445-446 (2007) 669-675.
Tan, J., Chao, Y.J., Lee, W.K., and Van Zee, J., “Relationship Between the Applied Torque and Compression of Gasket in a Fuel Cell Assembly,” in Multiscaling Associated with Structural and Material Integrity under Elevated Temperature—Fracture Mechanics and Applications, eds. G.C. Sih, S.T. Tu and Z.D. Wang, 2006, 41-48.
Tan, J., Chao, Y.J., Lee, W.K., Smith, C.S., Van Zee, J.W., and Williams, C.T. “Degradation of Gasket Materials in a Simulated Fuel Cell Environment,” Proceedings of the Fourth International ASME Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology, June 19-21, 2006, Irvine, California, USA.

Representative Publications

Tan, J., Chao, Y.J., Li, Xiaodong, and Van Zee, J.W., “Degradation of Silicone Rubber under Compression in a Simulated Fuel Cell Environment,” Journal of Power Sources, 172(2007) 782-789.

Tan, Jinzhu, Chao, Y. J., Van Zee, J. W., and Lee, W.K.,” Degradation of Elastomeric Gasket Materials in PEM Fuel Cells,” Materials Science and Engineering A, 445-446 (2007) 669-675.