The Materials analysis group of NEDO FC-Platform is organized by quantum-beam analysis teams consists of 7 universities, 3 research institutes and one company, including SPring-8 and J-PARC facilities. Primary mission is establishing an analysis platform that provides standard material-analysis protocols for PEFC materials and advanced analysis technologies for multi-scale structure and phenomenon analysis of PEFCs. By collaborating with the electrochemical evaluation group, the simulation group and the materials informatics group in NEDO FC-platform under supervision of the management group, we are providing comprehensive solutions for materials and MEAs, cells, other component developments.

Current focus is x-ray, neutron, and electron microscopy based advanced analytical methods for elucidating complex phenomena in MEAs and cells. To analyze the components of fuel cells with a hierarchical structure, we are developing various advanced methods:

• Coherent x-ray diffraction imaging as an imaging technique to see the structure of catalysts, supports, and ionomers in a non-destructive manner.
• High resolution XANES and RIXS for analyzing the adsorption structure of ionomers and contaminants.
• Cryo-electron microscope and TEM tomography for observing the three-dimensional structure of swollen ionomers and catalyst supports.
• SAXS/WAXS and SANS to analyze the structure of electrolyte membrane and catalyst ink.
• Nano and micro CT and Compton scattering imaging technique to visualize the three-dimensional distribution of water in the catalyst layer, MPL, GDL, and separator.
• High resolution XRF for visualizing radical quencher distribution in cells
• Neutron radiography that visualizes the distribution of water and ice in a real cell

The latest achievements of advanced analytical technologies and new results on MIRAI analysis will be reported.

Acknowledgement

This work was conducted under NEDO FC-Platform project commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).