Investigating the effect of magnetized fuel cell cathodes for improved oxygen reduction

o what is reported in litterature \cite{Okada}.

A simpler approach would be to prepare a separate magnetic layer in the MEA, but the magnetic effect might be reduced compared to having magnetic particles mixed within the catalyst layer.

When testing in a cell, a reference electrode together with, for instance, the current interrupt technique, cyclic voltammetry etc., could be used in order to get detailed information on oxygen reduction activity.

2.2.2 Modelling
There are modelling studies on magnetic water management in fuel cells found in literature, using numerical modelling one might also be able to estimate to what extent oxygen mass transport would be altered \cite{2W}, \cite{3W}.

Another approach could be on investigating performance on a system stack level, is it feasible at all to use individually magnetized segments?

If, at this stage in the work, enhanced kinetics has been found in the experimental work a model could be posed to explain this, maybe by using basic thermodynamics.

3 Prerequisites
Suitable programmes would be Chemical Engineering (Kemiteknik), Engineering Physics (Teknisk fysik) or some other background providing a suitable general knowledge of chemistry and physics.

Deeper knowledge and interest in magnetism, quantum mechanics, corrosion, electrochemistry, numerical analysis, fluid mechanics or solid state physics could of course be of some help but is not indispensable.

4 Supervisor and contact information
Henrik Ekstöm (PhD student), [email protected], 08-790 80 78, with additional help from some senior researcher at the department.

Other suggestions for a diploma work in this field are of course welcome.

5 References

Wakayama: Magnetic promotion of oxygen reduction with Pt catalyst in sulfuric acid solution, Wakayama et al, Japanese Journal of Applied Physics Part 2 ¿ Letters, 40(3B):L269-L271, Mar 15, 2001

Okada: The effect of magnetic field on the oxygen reduction reaction and its application on polymer electrolyte fuel cells, Okada et al, Electrochimica Acta 48 (2003) 531-539

2W: Numerical simulation of a new water management for PEM fuel cell using magnet particles deposited in the cathode side catalyst layer, Wang et al, Electrochemistry Communications 4 (2002) 584-588

3W: Transient characteristics of convection and diffusion of oxygen gas in an open vertical cylinder under magnetizing and gravitational forces, Tagawa et al, Chemical Engineering Science 56 (2001) 4217-4223

Kumbhar: Magnetic Properties of Cobalt and Cobalt-Platinuma Alloy Nanoparticles Synthesized Via Microemulsion Technique, Kumbhar et al, IEEE Transactions on Magnetics 37 (2001) 2216-2218