HW #10

Describe the chemistry and physics associated with the operation of a proton exchange
membrane and solid oxide fuel cell. Be sure to use diagrams, write down the relevant chemical
reactions. Compare and contrast their properties.
PEM
The reactions that occur in a PEM are the electrooxidation of hydrogen and electroreduction of
oxygen to produce water (and heat).

High pressure hydrogen tanks are used to store fuel, then released to the anode at the necessary
parameters. At the cathode, oxygen is supplied from air. This type of “air breathing” system can
operate without oxidant processing, but still requires some processing when scaled up. Since
PEMs are usually at above atmosphere, a compressor is required. Water management also
requires humidifying as well as a cooling system for the heat generated from electricity
generation.
The third equation demonstrates that a single PEM cell can generate electricity at 1.23 V
(theoretically since in actuality it’s more like 0.6-0.9V because of multiple limitations.) Since
this is pretty low, cells are assembled into stacks utilizing the bipolar configuration. The anode of
the nth membrane electrode assembly is connected with the cathode to the n+1th MEA by the
bipolar plate. The MEA is where the electrochemical reactions occur. As a result, it needs
electrocatalyst materials, be able to enable proton conduction, and have the right structure. In
essence, the MEA is should provide a conductive path of ions between the electrodes,
electronically separate them to prevent short circuiting, and separate reactive gases to prevent
crossover and losses. Where the reactions take place within the MEA are the catalyst layers. The
MEA sits between 2 gas diffusion layers which supply the reactants (H2 and O2 to the anode and
cathode), provide electric pathway for electrons between the bipolar plates, evacuate the heat
generated in the electrodes, channel water away from electrodes, and be mechanical supportive
to the MEA. These gas diffusion layers are usually made of porous carbon.
In essence the hydrogen gas goes through the catalyst by pressure and splits into H+ and e-. The
e- conducts through the anode, to the external circuit, and back to the cathode. At the cathode O2
is forced through the catalyst and forms O- which attracts the H+ to form water.
Solid Oxide
A solid oxide fuel cell uses a solid oxide as the electrolyte to conduct the O- ions from the
cathode to the anode. The oxidation reaction occurs on the anode side. The solid oxide fuel cell
typically is made of 4 layers and a single cell of these 4 layers are usually stacked into an SOFC
stack. The reduction reaction occurs at the cathode and then the ions diffuse through the
electrolyte to the anode to oxidize the fuel. Water is a byproduct. Electrons flow to an external
circuit to do work. The anode and cathode chemical reactions are shown below.
H2 +O2 ——> H2O+2e

The anode layer has to be porous to let the fuel flow to the electrolyte so that it can use oxygen
ions to oxidize the hydrogen fuel. This reaction yields heat, water, and electricity. The anode is
usually made of nickel cermet mixed with the ceramic material. The electrolyte later is dense
ceramic and conducts the oxygen ions. It has low electric conductivity in order to prevent
leakage loss. The cathode layer is a thin porous layer where the 2nd reaction (oxygen reduction)
occurs. This layer needs to be electrically conductive. Interconnects are between each cell and
must be extremely stable at high temps because of exposure to both reactions. This is why it is
usually made of ceramics or cermet (ceramic metal).
Compare/Contrast
Both the PEM and SOFC utilize electrochemical reactions as well as the stacking of multiple
units in order to generate electricity through the conduction of electrons to an external circuit and
back. They both also involve the use of some kind of electrolyte as well as a porous layer. The
reactions also yield similarly, heat and water. However, PEM’s are polymer electrolytes that
conduct protons at low temperatures while SOFC’s are ceramic that conduct oxygen ions at high
temps. SOFC’s can also use hydrocarbon fuel which is also interesting since that will make the
reform reaction endothermic and internally cool the stack (anode has to act as a catalyst for
steam reforming fuel into hydrogen). PEM’s utilize precious metals while SOFC’s are usually
inexpensive. PEM’s have low thermal inertia while SOFC’s have large thermal inertia.