Performance-Limiting Factors of Hydrocarbon Ionomeric Binders for Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers
The move toward nonfluorinated hydrocarbon ionomers for fuel cells and electrolyzers is driven by potential restrictions on polyfluoroalkyl substances such as Nafion. This study examines the key limitations of hydrocarbon ionomers through half- and single-cell experiments with model hydrocarbon ionomers. Half-cell tests reveal three major performance barriers: undesirable adsorption, electrochemical oxidation, and low gas permeability. Competitive sulfate adsorption helps counteract ionomer adsorption and oxidation. These findings align with single-cell performance data, which further reveal additional oxygen mass transport limitations likely caused by localized electrode flooding. Together, these findings offer valuable insights to guide the development of high-performance, fluorine-free hydrocarbon ionomers for next-generation fuel cells and electrolyzers.
Authors
- Heemin Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7194-3078)
- Ain Uddin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2500-166X)
- Cy Fujimoto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7979-1874)
- Jeffrey M. Klein (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3223-4376)
- Tomonori Saito (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4536-7530)
- Yu Seung Kim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5446-3890)
- Jiyoon Jung (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5733-4296)
- Su Min Ahn (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1593-2922)
- Albert S. Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1396-1244)
- Michelle L. Lehmann (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1323-9785)
- Tanya Agarwal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5507-7708)
- Jong‐Ho Choi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6963-7075)
- Eun Joo Park (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6515-3994)
- Rod L. Borup
Institutions
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (US)
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (US)
- Nanosc (Sweden) (SE)
- Sandia National Laboratories (US)
- Kyungil University (KR)
- NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory (US)
- Materials Research Center (IN)
- Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- ACS Energy Letters
- Published
- 2025-04-18
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.5c00487
- Citations
- 9
- Primary Topic
- Fuel Cells and Related Materials
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 6.57
Funders
- Kyungil University
- Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
- Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Sandia National Laboratories