Open AccessObservation of water droplets in microporous layers for polymer electrolyte fuel cells by X‐ray computed nano‐tomography
Author(s) -
Yamaguchi Satoshi,
Kato Satoru,
Yoshimune Wataru,
Setoyama Daigo,
Kato Akihiko,
Nagai Yasutaka,
Suzuki Takahisa,
Takeuchi Akihisa,
Uesugi Kentaro
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of synchrotron radiation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 99
ISSN - 1600-5775
DOI - 10.1107/s1600577522007949
Subject(s) - microporous material , materials science , nano , optics , layer (electronics) , condenser (optics) , tomography , electrolyte , composite material , chemistry , physics , light source , electrode
An X‐ray computed nano‐tomography (nano‐CT) system has been established at the BL33XU beamline of SPring‐8. The optical system consists of pseudo‐Köhler illumination with a sector condenser zone plate, an apodization Fresnel zone plate as the objective lens, and a Zernike phase plate. The imaging detector is a fiber‐coupling type X‐ray camera. The performance of the X‐ray nano‐CT system was confirmed by imaging an X‐ray test chart. The system was subsequently applied to the observation of a microporous layer for polymer electrolyte fuel cells and a simulated microporous layer including liquid water. The nano‐CT system, which can perform a computed tomography measurement in less than 4 min, allowed visualization of a spherical water droplet produced in the microporous layer. In the present study, the shape of water droplets in a nanoscale porous structure is investigated.