Detection of Reactive Oxygen Species in Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells using In Situ Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Abstract

The objectives of this study were: 1) to confirm superoxide anion radical (O2.−) formation, and 2) to monitor in real time the rate of O2.− generation in an operating anion exchange membrane (AEM) fuel cell using in situ fluorescence spectroscopy. 1,3‐Diphenlisobenzofuran (DPBF) was used as the fluorescent molecular probe owing to its selectivity and sensitivity toward O2.− in alkaline media. The activation energy for the in situ generation of O2.− during AEM fuel cell operation was estimated to be 18.3 kJ mol−1. The rate of in situ generation of O2.− correlated well with the experimentally measured loss in AEM ion‐exchange capacity and ionic conductivity attributable to oxidative degradation.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jun 28, 2017
Source ID
10.1002/cssc.201700760

Entities

People

  • Javier Parrondo
  • Shrihari Sankarasubramanian
  • Vijay Ramani
  • Yunzhu Zhang

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • Washington University in St. Louis

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Chemistry
  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies
  • Molecular Photonics/Laser Physics
  • Underwater engineering and Marine Technology.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology