Issue 22, 2020

The observation of supercapacitor effects on PEMFC–supercapacitor hybridization performance through voltage degradation and electrochemical processes

Abstract

In the cities in the future, seeing electric vehicles on the roads will be as ordinary an occurrence as seeing internal combustion engine cars today. Electric vehicles can greatly benefit from utilizing polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) because they provide higher efficiency (40–50%) and are more environmentally friendly. However, there are some major drawbacks to using PEMFCs as electrical sources in vehicles; these are energy balance and management issues that must be addressed to meet vehicle power and energy requirements. Therefore, it seems that hybridizing PEMFCs with energy storage devices, such as supercapacitors (SCs), would be an efficient solution to address these drawbacks in order to accommodate driving behaviors such as dynamic loads. The goal of this research is, therefore, to demonstrate the use of a PEMFC–SC direct hybridization configuration with a dynamic stress test by simulating driving behavior in urban areas such as Bangkok. This research presents substantial advantages in energy management and voltage and material degradation. In order to achieve this objective, a quasi-static stress profile, including stationary conditions, load variations, and start–stop conditions, was specifically created for PEMFC–SC direct hybridization systems with 840 hours of operating duration. The performance, durability, and reliability of this system were investigated via polarization curves, hysteresis loops, and voltage degradation rates. Then, experimental results were compared to the degradation of the cell components. Any degradation in material components was observed through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and morphology studies. The characterization of materials in the PEMFC–SC direct hybridization systems via chemical and electrochemical analyses is an important approach in material invention and modification for the new generation of PEMFCs. This work strives to pave the way for PEMFC hybridization development to achieve effective commercialization.

Graphical abstract: The observation of supercapacitor effects on PEMFC–supercapacitor hybridization performance through voltage degradation and electrochemical processes

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
16 Jan 2020
Accepted
11 Mar 2020
First published
01 Apr 2020
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

RSC Adv., 2020,10, 13100-13111

The observation of supercapacitor effects on PEMFC–supercapacitor hybridization performance through voltage degradation and electrochemical processes

R. Yeetsorn, Y. Maiket and W. Kaewmanee, RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 13100 DOI: 10.1039/D0RA00468E

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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