Operando µSAXS/WAXS study of the evolution of PEMFC membrane and electrodes structures during AST: effect of humidity and temperature

PEMFC's critical components, electrodes, and membranes, face efficiency-hindering degradation challenges. Despite extensive studies, mechanisms remain unclear, especially under varying local conditions. This proposal aims to analyze membrane, anode, and cathode structures during accelerated stress testing (AST) using microfocus SAXS/WAXS at diverse temperatures and humidity. A newly designed cell ensures experiments up to 95°C for a good signal-to-noise ratio. The plan is to measure the semi-crystalline structure evolution in the membrane and ionomer, along with platinum nanoparticles size distribution in electrodes during AST. No published studies simultaneously analyze membrane and electrode structural evolution concerning performance in relation to temperature and humidity, particularly above 80°C for heavy-duty applications. By requesting beamtime on the ID13 beamline, we aim to gain insights into the PEMFC components' structural evolution impacting performance and durability.