Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have made a significant breakthrough in the quest to improve fuel cells, which are crucial for the success of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles. The team has developed an innovative method to study how fuel cell components degrade over time, paving the way for more efficient and durable fuel cells.
Hydrogen fuel cells are gaining attention as a promising alternative for heavy-duty vehicles. These vehicles emit only water vapor and, when the hydrogen is produced using renewable energy, they are entirely free of carbon dioxide emissions. Unlike battery-powered electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles do not strain the electricity grid, as hydrogen can be produced and stored when electricity costs are low. However, the relatively short lifespan of fuel cells, due to the degradation of components like electrodes and membranes, has been a limiting factor.
Understanding Fuel Cell Degradation
The core of a fuel cell consists of two electrodes—an anode and a cathode—with an ion-conducting membrane in between. This setup generates electricity through an electrochemical process when hydrogen and oxygen are added, producing clean water as a byproduct. However, over time, the materials in these components degrade, reducing the fuel cell’s efficiency and lifespan.
The Chalmers research team has developed a new method to study this degradation process in detail. By tracking specific particles within a fuel cell during operation, they were able to observe how the cathode electrode degrades over time. This research involved taking apart the entire fuel cell at regular intervals and using advanced electron microscopes to analyze changes at the nano and micro levels.
Key Findings and Implications
The new method allowed the researchers to gain a better understanding of when and where degradation occurs within the fuel cell, which is critical for developing longer-lasting fuel cells. “It was previously assumed that disassembling the fuel cell for study would affect its performance, but we found that this was not the case,” said Associate Professor Björn Wickman, who led the research.
This deeper insight into the degradation process represents a crucial step toward designing new materials or adjusting the control of fuel cells to enhance their longevity. Doctoral student Linnéa Strandberg noted that being able to track a single particle within a specific area provided a much clearer picture of the degradation processes, which is vital for improving fuel cell technology.
Future Prospects
The U.S. Department of Energy has identified improving the lifespan of fuel cells as a key goal for making hydrogen-powered vehicles commercially viable. The Chalmers researchers believe their findings lay a strong foundation for achieving this goal.
“Now we know more about the processes that occur in the fuel cell over its lifetime. In the future, this method will be used to develop and study new materials that can extend the lifespan of fuel cells,” Wickman said.
The research was supported by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research and the Swedish Research Council, among others, and involved collaborations with several industrial partners. The advanced microscopy techniques used in the study were conducted at the Chalmers Materials Analysis Laboratory.
