Dynamic sparse x-ray nanotomography reveals ionomer hydration mechanism in polymer electrolyte fuel-cell catalyst

Gao Z, Appel C, Holler M, Jeschonek K, Brunnengräber K, Etzold B, Kronenberg M, Stampanoni M, Ihli J, Guizar-Sicairos M (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Science Advances American Association for the Advancement of Science

Book Volume: 10

Pages Range: eadp3346-

Journal Issue: 41

DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adp3346

Abstract

Tomographic imaging of time-evolving samples is a challenging yet important task for various research fields. At the nanoscale, current approaches face limitations of measurement speed or resolution due to lengthy acquisitions. We developed a dynamic nanotomography technique based on sparse dynamic imaging and 4D tomography modeling. We demonstrated the technique, using ptychographic x-ray computed tomography as its imaging modality, on resolving the in situ hydration process of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) catalyst. The technique provides a 40-time increase in temporal resolution compared to conventional approaches, yielding 28 nm half-period spatial and 12 min temporal resolution. The results allow a quantitative characterization of the water intake process inside PEFC catalysts with nanoscale resolution, which is crucial for understanding their electrochemical mechanisms and optimizing their performance. Our technique enables high-speed operando nanotomography studies and paves the way for wider application of dynamic tomography at the nanoscale.

Authors with CRIS profile

Bastian Etzold Lehrstuhl für Power-to-X-Technologien

Involved external institutions

Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) CH Switzerland (CH) Technische Universität Darmstadt DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Gao, Z., Appel, C., Holler, M., Jeschonek, K., Brunnengräber, K., Etzold, B.,... Guizar-Sicairos, M. (2024). Dynamic sparse x-ray nanotomography reveals ionomer hydration mechanism in polymer electrolyte fuel-cell catalyst. Science Advances, 10(41), eadp3346-. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adp3346

MLA:

Gao, Zirui, et al. "Dynamic sparse x-ray nanotomography reveals ionomer hydration mechanism in polymer electrolyte fuel-cell catalyst." Science Advances 10.41 (2024): eadp3346-.

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