The effects of cell design and materials of construction on the electrolysis performance of a proton exchange membrane unitized regenerative fuel cell

The cell bipolar plates, membranes, electrodes and seals used in a unitized regenerative fuel cell (URFC) operating in the electrolysis mode were evaluated. Experimental procedures and measurements required to evaluate the performance of a URFC in the electrolysis mode were developed. The cell design incorporated low cost materials and manufacturing techniques to ensure a marketable product in the near future. During most experiments, commercially available fuel cell (FC) membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) were used to reduce cost and development time.; In most cases, the electrodes chosen had been optimized for use in the fuel cell mode, which favors electrical output performance over hydrogen-producing capability. This choice was based on the premise that most applications for URFC technology would require burst/efficient power generation, but only sub-optimal hydrogen generation. In spite of this, in this preliminary work the URFC was tested in the electrolysis mode.; The experience obtained using this first cell will be used to design a second generation cell. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...