Shimshon Gottesfeld

Bio: Shimshon Gottesfeld is an academic researcher from University of Delaware. The author has contributed to research in topics: Membrane & Anode. The author has an hindex of 52, co-authored 113 publications receiving 19813 citations. Previous affiliations of Shimshon Gottesfeld include Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Characterization of polymer electrolyte fuel cells using ac impedance spectroscopy

Abstract: The ac impedance spectra of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) cathodes measured under various experimental conditions are analyzed. The measurements were carried out in the presence of large dc currents. The impedance spectrum of the air cathode is shown to contain two features : a higher frequency loop or are determined by interfacial charge-transfer resistance and catalyst layer properties and a lower frequency loop determined by gas-phase transport limitations in the backing. The lower frequency loop is absent from the spectrum of cathodes operating on pure oxygen. Properties of measured impedance spectra are analyzed by a PEFC model to probe the effect of ac perturbation. Comparison of model predictions to observed data is made by simultaneous least squares fitting of a set of spectra measured for several cathode potentials. The spectra reveal various charge and mass-transfer effects in the cathode catalyst layer and in the hydrophobic cathode backing. Three different types of losses caused by insufficient cell hydration, having to do with interfacial kinetics, catalyst layer proton conductivity, and membrane conductivity, are clearly resolved in these impedance spectra. The data reveal that the effective tortuous path length for gas diffusion in the cathode backing is about 2.6 times the backing thickness.

A Comparative Study of Water Uptake By and Transport Through Ionomeric Fuel Cell Membranes

Abstract: Water uptake and transport parameters measured at 30 C for several available perfluorosulfonic acid membranes are compared. The water sorption characteristics, diffusion coefficient of water, electroosmotic drag, and protonic conductivity were determined for Nafion 117, Membrane C, and Dow XUS 13204.10 developmental fuel cell membrane. The diffusion coefficient and conductivity of each of these membranes were determined as functions of membrane water content. Experimental determination of transport parameters, enables one to compare membranes without the skewing effects of extensive features such as membrane thickness which contributes in a nonlinear fashion to performance in polymer electrolyte fuel cells.

Modeling and Experimental Diagnostics in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

Abstract: This paper presents a fit between model and experiment for well-humidified polymer electrolyte fuel cells operated to maximum current density with a range of cathode gas compositions. The model considers, in detail, losses caused by: (1) interfacial kinetics at the Pt/ionomer interface, (2) gas-transport and ionic-conductivity limitations in the catalyst layer and (3) gas-transport limitations in the cathode backing. The authors` experimental data were collected with cells that utilized thin-film catalyst layers bonded directly to the membrane, and a separate catalyst-free hydrophobic backing layer. This structure allows a clearer resolution of the processes taking place in each of these distinguishable parts of the cathode. In their final comparison of model predictions with the experimental data, they stress the simultaneous fit of a family of complete polarization curves obtained for gas compositions ranging from 5 atm O{sub 2} to a mixture of 5% O{sub 2} in N{sub 2}, employing in each case the same model parameters for interfacial kinetics, catalyst-layer transport, and backing-layer transport. This approach allowed them to evaluate losses in the cathode backing and in the cathode catalyst layer, and thus identify the improvements required to enhance the performance of air cathodes in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Finally, theymore » show that effects of graded depletion in oxygen along the gas flow channel can be accurately modeled using a uniform effective oxygen concentration in the flow channel, equal to the average of inlet and exit concentrations. This approach has enabled simplified and accurate consideration of oxygen utilization effects.« less

Materials for electrochemical capacitors

Abstract: Electrochemical capacitors, also called supercapacitors, store energy using either ion adsorption (electrochemical double layer capacitors) or fast surface redox reactions (pseudo-capacitors). They can complement or replace batteries in electrical energy storage and harvesting applications, when high power delivery or uptake is needed. A notable improvement in performance has been achieved through recent advances in understanding charge storage mechanisms and the development of advanced nanostructured materials. The discovery that ion desolvation occurs in pores smaller than the solvated ions has led to higher capacitance for electrochemical double layer capacitors using carbon electrodes with subnanometre pores, and opened the door to designing high-energy density devices using a variety of electrolytes. Combination of pseudo-capacitive nanomaterials, including oxides, nitrides and polymers, with the latest generation of nanostructured lithium electrodes has brought the energy density of electrochemical capacitors closer to that of batteries. The use of carbon nanotubes has further advanced micro-electrochemical capacitors, enabling flexible and adaptable devices to be made. Mathematical modelling and simulation will be the key to success in designing tomorrow's high-energy and high-power devices.

A review of electrode materials for electrochemical supercapacitors

Abstract: In this critical review, metal oxides-based materials for electrochemical supercapacitor (ES) electrodes are reviewed in detail together with a brief review of carbon materials and conducting polymers. Their advantages, disadvantages, and performance in ES electrodes are discussed through extensive analysis of the literature, and new trends in material development are also reviewed. Two important future research directions are indicated and summarized, based on results published in the literature: the development of composite and nanostructured ES materials to overcome the major challenge posed by the low energy density of ES (476 references).

Materials for fuel-cell technologies

Abstract: Fuel cells convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy with high efficiency and low emission of pollutants. However, before fuel-cell technology can gain a significant share of the electrical power market, important issues have to be addressed. These issues include optimal choice of fuel, and the development of alternative materials in the fuel-cell stack. Present fuel-cell prototypes often use materials selected more than 25 years ago. Commercialization aspects, including cost and durability, have revealed inadequacies in some of these materials. Here we summarize recent progress in the search and development of innovative alternative materials.

Carbon-based Supercapacitors Produced by Activation of Graphene

Abstract: Supercapacitors, also called ultracapacitors or electrochemical capacitors, store electrical charge on high-surface-area conducting materials. Their widespread use is limited by their low energy storage density and relatively high effective series resistance. Using chemical activation of exfoliated graphite oxide, we synthesized a porous carbon with a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of up to 3100 square meters per gram, a high electrical conductivity, and a low oxygen and hydrogen content. This sp 2 -bonded carbon has a continuous three-dimensional network of highly curved, atom-thick walls that form primarily 0.6- to 5-nanometer-width pores. Two-electrode supercapacitor cells constructed with this carbon yielded high values of gravimetric capacitance and energy density with organic and ionic liquid electrolytes. The processes used to make this carbon are readily scalable to industrial levels.