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Materials for fuel cells

Edited by M Gasik, Helsinki University of Technology, Finland

Woodhead Publishing Series in Electronic and Optical Materials No. 13

…directs the reader to the in-depth discussions and state-of-the-art technologies. …a vivid account of the lifecycle assessment and recyclability of fuel cell materials is provided.
Materials World

The main strength of this book is that it covers all the common fuel cell types, with details of their mechanisms, history, current status, uses and of course details of the materials used in each.
International Journal of Sustainable Engineering

…ready reference material for those aspiring for, and engaged in, teaching and research in the genereal field of alternative and environmentally-friendly energy resources.
Materials World

 - examines the key issues in fuel cell materials research
 - reviews the major types of fuel cells such as direct methanol and regenerative fuel cells
 - further chapters explore ways of analysing performance and issues affecting recyclability and life cycle assessment
 - an essential reference for all those researching, manufacturing and using fuel cells

A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts the chemical energy of a reaction (between fuel and oxidant) directly into electricity. Given their efficiency and low emissions, fuel cells provide an important alternative to power produced from fossil fuels. A major challenge in their use is the need for better materials to make fuel cells cost-effective and more durable. This important book reviews developments in materials to fulfil the potential of fuel cells as a major power source.

After introductory chapters on the key issues in fuel cell materials research, the book reviews the major types of fuel cell. These include alkaline fuel cells, polymer electrolyte fuel cells, direct methanol fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, solid oxide fuel cells and regenerative fuel cells. The book concludes with reviews of novel fuel cell materials, ways of analysing performance and issues affecting recyclability and life cycle assessment.

With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Materials for fuel cells is a valuable reference for all those researching, manufacturing and using fuel cells in such areas as automotive engineering.

ISBN 1 84569 330 2
ISBN-13: 978 1 84569 330 5
October 2008
512 pages  234 x 156mm  hardback  
£170.00 / US$290.00 / €205.00

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An e-book version of this title is available to purchase as part of a Collection or Pick n Mix or by Chapter. Visit Woodhead Publishing Online

About the editor

Professor Michael Gasik is Head of the Laboratory of Materials Processing and Powder Metallurgy at Helsinki University of Technology, Finland.

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Solid oxide fuel cell technology
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Contents

Introduction: Materials challenges in fuel cells
M Gasik, Helsinki University of Technology, Finland
 - What is a fuel cell?
 - Why fuel cells?
 - Which fuel cell?
 - Fuel cells and materials challenges
 - The structure of the book
 - References

Materials basics for fuel cells
K Föger, Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd, Australia
 - Introduction
 - Types of fuel cells
 - Fuel cell stack
 - Balance of plant systems
 - Major components and materials requirements for essential balance of plant systems
 - Maturing technology
 - Summary
 - Conclusions
 - References

Alkaline fuel cells (AFCs)
E Gülzow and M Schulze, DLR, Germany
 - Introduction
 - Principles
 - Alkaline fuel cell design
 - Types of electrode
 - Materials used for electrodes and their preparation
 - Dry preparation of Polytetrafloroethylene bonded gas diffusion electrodes
 - Electrolytes and separators
 - Degradation of fuel cell components
 - The impact of carbon dioxide on fuel cell performance
 - Future trends
 - Sources of further information and advice
 - References

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells
C Hartnig, L Jörissen, J Kerres, W Lehnert and J Scholta, Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research (ZSW), Germany
 - Introduction
 - Membrane development for polymer electrolyte fuel cells
 - Sulfonated ionomer membranes: perfluorinated ionomer membranes
 - Partially fluorinated membranes
 - Non-fluorinated membranes
 - (Het)arylene main chain ionomer membranes
 - Cross-linked membrane systems
 - Composite systems
 - Intermediate-temperature membrane systems
 - Catalyst development
 - Catalyst supports
 - Gas diffusion media
 - Gas diffusion layer treatment
 - Flow-field design
 - Serpentine flow fields
 - System layout
 - Reactant supply
 - Thermal management
 - Electric power conditioning
 - System control
 - Conclusions
 - References

Direct methanol fuel cells
C Hartnig, L Jörissen, W Lehnert and J Scholta, Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research (ZSW), Germany
 - Introduction
 - Catalysts
 - Gas diffusion media
 - Flow-field design
 - DMFC system architecture
 - Conclusions
 - References

Phosphoric acid fuel cells
T F Fuller and K G Gallagher, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA
 - Introduction
 - General fuel-cell design issues
 - Individual cell design
 - Stack design challenges and components
 - System design
 - Materials challenges
 - Electrocatlyst stability
 - Carbon chemistry and corrosion
 - Modelling and analysis
 - Future trends
 - References

Molten carbonate fuel cells
S McPhail, E Simonetti and A Moreno, ENEA – Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Project, Italy and R Bove, Institute for Energy, The Netherlands
 - Introduction
 - Operating principles
 - Materials utilized
 - Active components
 - Secondary components
 - Conclusions
 - Acknowledgements
 - References

Solid oxide fuel cells
K Huang, Siemens Power Generation Inc., USA
 - Introduction
 - ZrO2-based solid oxide fuel cells
 - CeO2-based solid oxide fuel cells
 - LaGaO3-based solid oxide fuel cells
 - Interconnects and cell-to-cell connectors
 - Fabrication techniques
 - Conclusions
 - Acknowledgement
 - References

Regenerative fuel cells
J Andrews and A K Doddathimmaiah, RMIT University, Australia
 - Introductions: operational principles and types of regenerative fuel cell
 - The development of regenerative fuel cells
 - Unitised regenerative fuel cells
 - Membrane electrode assemblies
 - Flow channels, seals and endplates
 - Unitised regenerative fuel cell stacks
 - Unitised regenerative fuel cell systems
 - Performance and costs of unitised regenerative fuel cells
 - Conclusions and future trends
 - References

Novel fuel cells and materials
A Smirnova, Connecticut Global Fuel Cell Center, USA
 - Introduction
 - Nanostructured electrolyte materials
 - Nanocomposite electrolyte materials for polymer-based fuel cells
 - Nanocomposite electrolyte materials for ceramic fuel cells with proton conductivity
 - Nanotechnology applied to fuel cell catalysts
 - Nanocomposite catalysts for polymer-based fuel cells
 - Nanocomposite catalysts for solid oxide fuel cells
 - Other materials challenges for fuel cell materials
 - Novel fuel cells based on nanocomposite materials
 - Polymer electrolyte fuel cells operating on liquid fuels
 - Fuel cells operating on non-noble metal catalysts
 - Proton conducting solid oxide fuel cells
 - Conclusions
 - References

Performance degradation and failure mechanisms of fuel cell materials
R Steinberger-Wilckens, J Mergel, A Glusen, K Wippermann, I Vinke, P Batfalsky and M J Smith, Institute of Energy Research (IEF), Germany
 - Introduction
 - Low-temperature fuel cells
 - Membrane degradation
 - Electrode degradation
 - Direct methanol fuel cell
 - High-temperature fuel cells
 - References

Recyclability and life cycle assessment of fuel cell materials
J Smith Cooper, University of Washington, USA
 - Introduction
 - Environmental aspects of fuel cells
 - Fuel cell hardware recycling
 - Life cycle assessment of fuel cell fuels and materials
 - Future trends
 - Sources of further information and advice
 - References