Mechanics and Multi-Physics Deformation Behavior of Polymer Electrolyte

Fuel cells are a developing technology within the energy sector that offer both efficiency and environmental advantages over traditional combustion processes. In particular, proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are promising for transportation and portable devices due to their low operating temperature, reduced C02 emissions, and scalability. A central component is the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) which conducts protons from the fuel source (typically either hydrogen or methanol) at the anode to the cathode where it reacts with oxygen while preventing the transport of either electrons or the fuel itself. Historically membranes have been designed primarily in terms of maximizing proton conductivity, but it is also important that they prevent fuel crossover and have minimal chemical and mechanical degradation over the target lifetime of the fuel cell. Membrane mechanical integrity is thus a critical concern for commercial distribution of PEMFC technology. This thesis has two primary focus areas: (1) characterization and modeling of Nafion, th