3D printed sample holder for in-operando EPR spectroscopy on high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells.
Electrochemical cells contain electrically conductive components, which causes various problems if such a cell is analyzed during operation in an EPR resonator. The optimum cell design strongly depends on the application and it is necessary to make certain compromises that need to be individually arranged. Rapid prototyping presents a straightforward option to implement a variable cell design that can be easily adapted to changing requirements. In this communication, it is demonstrated that sample containers produced by 3D printing are suitable for EPR applications, with a particular emphasis on electrochemical applications. The housing of a high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell (HT-PEFC) with a phosphoric acid doped polybenzimidazole membrane was prepared from polycarbonate by 3D printing. Using a custom glass Dewar, this fuel cell could be operated at temperatures up to 140°C in a standard EPR cavity. The carbon-based gas diffusion layer showed an EPR signal with a characteristic Dysonian line shape, whose evolution could be monitored in-operando in a non-invasive manner.
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy and Climate Research (IEK-9), 52425 Jülich, Germany.
Arvid
A
Niemöller
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy and Climate Research (IEK-9), 52425 Jülich, Germany. Electronic address: p.jakes@fz-juelich.de.
Peter
P
Jakes
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy and Climate Research (IEK-9), 52425 Jülich, Germany.
Steffen
S
Kayser
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy and Climate Research (IEK-3), 52425 Jülich, Germany.
Yu
Y
Lin
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy and Climate Research (IEK-3), 52425 Jülich, Germany; Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, 52072 Aachen, Germany.
Werner
W
Lehnert
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy and Climate Research (IEK-9), 52425 Jülich, Germany; Institut für Technische und Makromolekulare Chemie (ITMC), RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany.
Josef
J
Granwehr
3D printing; EPR spectroscopy; HT-PEFC; High temperature PEM fuel cell; In-operando; Sample holder