Arlt, T.; Manke, I.; Wippermann, K.; Toetzke, C.; Markötter, H.; Riesemeier, H.; Mergel, J.; Banhart, J.: Investigation of the three-dimensional ruthenium distribution in fresh and aged membrane electrode assemblies with synchrotron X-ray absorption edge tomography. Electrochemistry Communications 13 (2011), p. 826-829
10.1016/j.elecom.2011.05.013
Abstract:
Synchrotron X-ray absorption edge imaging was used to investigate the ruthenium distribution in both fresh and aged Pt/Ru-based membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) of direct methanol fuel cells. MEAs aged in different ways were analyzed: artificially aged by MeOH depletion and aged for 1700 h in an operating fuel cell stack An element sensitive tomographic technique - differential X-ray absorption edge tomography - was applied allowing for a 3D-visualization of the ruthenium distribution within the MEA. We found a markedly changed Ru distribution after aging which is correlated to the GDL structure, the flow field geometry, and CO2 transport in the methanol solution