Additive manufacturing of titanium porous transport layers for enhanced performance in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis
This study investigates the feasibility of using Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) additive manufacturing (AM) to fabricate porous titanium Porous Transport Layers (PTLs) for Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (PEMWE) systems. We explore L-PBF as a potential solution to overcome limitations o...
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| Format: | Article |
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EDP Sciences
2024-01-01
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| Series: | MATEC Web of Conferences |
| Online Access: | https://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2024/18/matecconf_rapdasa2024_01004.pdf |
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| author | Ter Haar Gerrit McGregor Craig |
| author_facet | Ter Haar Gerrit McGregor Craig |
| author_sort | Ter Haar Gerrit |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigates the feasibility of using Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) additive manufacturing (AM) to fabricate porous titanium Porous Transport Layers (PTLs) for Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (PEMWE) systems. We explore L-PBF as a potential solution to overcome limitations of traditional PTL manufacturing methods, such as limited control over structural morphology and inefficient material use. Using spheroidized titanium powder, we produced 1 mm thick plates with varying porosities by manipulating laser process parameters. The internal structure and surface morphology of AM-produced PTLs were characterized and compared to conventional press-sintered PTLs. L-PBF successfully produced PTLs with porosities in the recommended 30-50% range, featuring spherical particles and a textured pore structure. In-situ testing in a lab-scale PEMWE revealed that AM-produced PTLs exhibited improved performance compared to commercial press-sintered PTLs. This enhancement is attributed to the finer surface structure and favourable gas liquid transport properties of the AM-produced PTLs. These preliminary findings suggest that L-PBF is a promising method for manufacturing PTLs, offering potential advantages in design flexibility, material efficiency, and PEMWE performance. Further research is needed to fully optimize the AM process and comprehensively evaluate long-term PTL performance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a3121c0486af4f3aa9b653ee2deca82f |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2261-236X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | EDP Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | MATEC Web of Conferences |
| spelling | doaj-art-a3121c0486af4f3aa9b653ee2deca82f2025-08-20T02:38:05ZengEDP SciencesMATEC Web of Conferences2261-236X2024-01-014060100410.1051/matecconf/202440601004matecconf_rapdasa2024_01004Additive manufacturing of titanium porous transport layers for enhanced performance in proton exchange membrane water electrolysisTer Haar Gerrit0McGregor Craig1Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Stellenbosch UniversityMechanical and Mechatronic Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Stellenbosch UniversityThis study investigates the feasibility of using Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) additive manufacturing (AM) to fabricate porous titanium Porous Transport Layers (PTLs) for Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (PEMWE) systems. We explore L-PBF as a potential solution to overcome limitations of traditional PTL manufacturing methods, such as limited control over structural morphology and inefficient material use. Using spheroidized titanium powder, we produced 1 mm thick plates with varying porosities by manipulating laser process parameters. The internal structure and surface morphology of AM-produced PTLs were characterized and compared to conventional press-sintered PTLs. L-PBF successfully produced PTLs with porosities in the recommended 30-50% range, featuring spherical particles and a textured pore structure. In-situ testing in a lab-scale PEMWE revealed that AM-produced PTLs exhibited improved performance compared to commercial press-sintered PTLs. This enhancement is attributed to the finer surface structure and favourable gas liquid transport properties of the AM-produced PTLs. These preliminary findings suggest that L-PBF is a promising method for manufacturing PTLs, offering potential advantages in design flexibility, material efficiency, and PEMWE performance. Further research is needed to fully optimize the AM process and comprehensively evaluate long-term PTL performance.https://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2024/18/matecconf_rapdasa2024_01004.pdf |
| spellingShingle | Ter Haar Gerrit McGregor Craig Additive manufacturing of titanium porous transport layers for enhanced performance in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis MATEC Web of Conferences |
| title | Additive manufacturing of titanium porous transport layers for enhanced performance in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis |
| title_full | Additive manufacturing of titanium porous transport layers for enhanced performance in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis |
| title_fullStr | Additive manufacturing of titanium porous transport layers for enhanced performance in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Additive manufacturing of titanium porous transport layers for enhanced performance in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis |
| title_short | Additive manufacturing of titanium porous transport layers for enhanced performance in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis |
| title_sort | additive manufacturing of titanium porous transport layers for enhanced performance in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis |
| url | https://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2024/18/matecconf_rapdasa2024_01004.pdf |
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