Current Collector Improvement

The maximum efficiency for the MARK EH-A prototype was 60% at a current density of 50 mA/cm, whereas the peak power densities achieved by MARK III-A and MARK II-D are 42 and 58 mW/cm, respectively. The major losses in DCFC occurred due to ohmic losses, which are attributed to the large spacing between anode and cathode. High performance could be achieved by increasing the cathode surface area, coal derived anode, optimisation of air flow and improved current collector-anode contact. Table 2.1 demonstrate the design parameter for MARK III-A and MARK II-D. 

Cell geometry, such as tab/terminal positioning and battery configuration, strongly influence primary current distribution. The monopolar constmction is most common. Several electrodes of the same polarity may be connected in parallel to increase capacity. The current production concentrates near the tab connections unless special care is exercised in designing the current collector. Bipolar constmction, wherein the terminal or collector of one cell serves as the anode and cathode of the next cell in pile formation, leads to gready improved uniformity of current distribution. Several representations are available to calculate the current distribution across the geometric electrode surface (46—50). 

Another complication had to be matched when the zinc electrode was made reversible in a battery with unstirred electrolyte or an electrolyte gel, dendritic growth of the electrolytically deposited metal takes place. The formation of dendrites cannot be fully suppressed by the use of current collectors with large surface areas (grids, wire fabrics). However, by using improved separators combined in multi layer arrangements, the danger of short-circuiting is reduced. 

The internal reforming of CH4 by CQzin SOFC system was performed over an ESC (electrolyte st rported cell) prepared with Ni based anode catalysts. Figure 5 diows the performance of voltage and power density with current density over various ESC (Ni based anodes I YSZ (LaSr)Mn03) at SOOC when CH4 and CO2 were used as reactants. To improve the contact between single cell and collector, different types of SOFC reactor were used [5]. In the optimized reactor (C), it was found fliat die opai-... 

There is no question that the development and commercialization of lithium ion batteries in recent years is one of the most important successes of modem electrochemistiy. Recent commercial systems for power sources show high energy density, improved rate capabilities and extended cycle life. The major components in most of the commercial Li-ion batteries are graphite electrodes, LiCo02 cathodes and electrolyte solutions based on mixtures of alkyl carbonate solvents, and LiPF6 as the salt.1 The electrodes for these batteries always have a composite structure that includes a metallic current collector (usually copper or aluminum foil/grid for the anode and cathode, respectively), the active mass comprises micrometric size particles and a polymeric binder. 

Figure 5. Adhesion (Scotch tape test) of PVDF/SLA1020 coating showing improved adhesion of graphite to copper current collector.

The introduction of such a layer can dramatically improve the fuel cell performance. For example, in the SOFC with bilayered anode shown in Figure 6.4, the area-specific polarization resistance for a full cell was reduced to 0.48 Hem2 at 800°C from a value of 1.07 Qcm2 with no anode functional layer [24], Use of an immiscible metal oxide phase (Sn()2) as a sacrificial pore former phase has also been demonstrated as a method to introduce different amounts of porosity in a bilayered anode support, and high electrochemical performance was reported for a cell produced from that anode support (0.54 W/cm2 at 650°C) [25], Use of a separate CFL and current collector layer to improve cathode performance has also been frequently reported (see for example reference [23]). 

In addition to bilayered electrodes with a functional layer and a support layer, electrodes have also been produced with multilayered or graded structures in which the composition, microstructure, or both are varied either continuously or in a series of steps across the electrode thickness to improve the cell performance compared to that of a single- or bilayered electrode. For example, triple-layer electrodes commonly utilize a functional layer with high surface area and small particle size, a second functional layer (e.g., reference [26]) or diffusion layer with high porosity and coarse structure, and a current collector layer with coarse porosity and only the electronically conductive phase (e.g., reference [27]) to improve the contact with the interconnect. 

A dense and electronically insulating layer of LiA102 is not suitable for providing corrosion resistance to the cell current collectors because these components must remain electrically conductive. The typical materials used for this application are 316 stainless steel and chromium plated stainless steels. However, materials with better corrosion resistance are required for longterm operation of MCFCs. Research is continuing to understand the corrosion processes of chromium in molten carbonate salts under both fuel gas and oxidizing gas environments (23,25) and to identify improved alloys (29) for MCFCs. Stainless steels such as Type 310 and 446 have demonstrated better corrosion resistance than Type 316 in corrosion tests (29). 

In another study, Chen and Zhao [55] demonstrated that by using a Ni-Cr alloy metal foam as the cathode DL (and current collector), instead of a CFP or CC, the performance of a DMFC can be enhanced significantly due to the improvement of the mass transfer of oxygen and overall water removal on the cathode side. Fly and Brady [56] designed a fuel cell stack in which the distribution layers were made out of metal foams (open cell foams). In addition, more than one foam (with different porosity) could be sandwiched together in order to form a DL with variable porosity. 

An optimum relationship between the DL and the flow field channels is a key factor in the overall improvement of fhe fuel cell s performance at both high and low current densities. Currently, flow field designs are typically serpentine, interdigitated, or parallel [207,264]. The FF plate performs several functions If is a current collector, provides mechanical support for the electrodes, provides access channels for the reactants to their respective electrode surfaces and for the removal of producf water, and it prevents mixing of oxidant, fuel, and coolant fluids. 

To measure the current distribution in a hydrogen PEFC, Brown et al. ° and Cleghorn et al. ° employed the printed circuit board approach using a segmented current collector, anode catalyst, and anode GDL. This approach was further refined by Bender et al. ° to improve ease of use and quality of information measured. Weiser et al. ° developed a technique utilizing a magnetic loop array embedded in the current collector plate and showed that cell compression can drastically affect the local current density. Stumper et al."° demonstrated three methods for the determination of current density distribution of a hydrogen PEFC. First, the partial membrane elec-... 

By contrast, Nal-doped polyethylene oxide membranes have permitted experimental research on tiny rechargeable Na/l2 batteries to be initiated (Figure 2). Chemical stability of the electrolyte, and the integrity of the mechanical contacts at the current collector/electrolyte interfaces, during repetitive cycling, must be improved. 

Batteries Metal PCMs should be useful for making rocking chair batteries because one and the same metal ions, for example, potassium ions could be shuttled between the anode and the cathode when suitable compounds are used. The published results indicate that such rocking chair batteries indeed work [109-113] however, their properties are insufficient to be real competitors on the battery market. Despite the rather low voltages, it is also the presence of as-yet unidentified side reactions that reduces the cycleability of the batteries. Further problems are due to the bad adherence of the PCMs to the current collectors. However, it stiU cannot be excluded that technical developments may improve the performance of such batteries so that applications are possible. 

A high gain transistor requires a nearly equal to 1. In the absence of collector junction breakdown, a is the product of the base transport factor and emitter efficiency. The base transport factor, aT, is the fraction of the minority current (electrons for an n-p—n transistor) that reaches the collector. ocT 1 — W2 /2L, where W is the base width, is the distance between emitter and collector junctions and Lg is the minority carrier diffusion length in the base. High gain transistors require a thin base as well as a long minority carrier lifetime for a large Lg. Because aT is >0.995 in modem transistors, there is little room for improvement. The emitter efficiency, the fraction of emitter current due to minority carriers injected into the base instead of the emitter,... 

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