Analysis of Dominant Parameters in Structure and Properties of Cathode Catalyst Layer on PEM Fuel Cell Performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yutaka Tabe ◽  
Hiroyuki Takamatsu ◽  
Takemi Chikahisa
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
Cathode Catalyst ◽  
Structure And Properties ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Cathode Catalyst Layer

Multi-Resolution PEM Fuel Cell Model Validation and Accuracy Analysis

2005 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingyun Liu ◽  
Junxiao Wu
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Diffusion Layer ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Cell Plate ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
Cathode Catalyst ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Cathode Catalyst Layer

A multi-resolution simulation method was developed for the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell simulation: a full 3D model was employed for the membrane and diffusion layer; a 1D+2D model was applied to the catalyst layer, that is, at each location of the fuel cell plate, the governing equations were integrated only in the direction perpendicular to the fuel cell plate; and a quasi-1D model with high numerical efficiency and reasonable accuracy was employed for the flow channels. The simulation accuracy was assessed in terms of the fuel cell polarization curves and membrane Ohmic overpotential. Overall, good agreements between the simulated results and the experimental data were obtained. However, at large current densities, with high relative humidity reactant inputs, the simulation under-predicted the fuel cell performance due to the single-phase assumption; the simulation slightly over-predicted the fuel cell performance for a dry cathode input, possibly due to the nonlinearity of the membrane properties in dehydration case. Further, a parameter study was performed under both fully humidified and relatively dry conditions for the parameters related to the cathode catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer (GDL). It is found that the effects of liquid water in both the GDL and catalyst layer on the cell performance, and the accurate identification of the cathode catalyst layer parameters such as the cathodic transfer coefficient should be focused for future studies in order to further improve the model accuracy.

Modeling the Effect of Low Carbon Conductivity of the Cathode Catalyst Layer on PEM Fuel Cell Performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (23) ◽  
pp. 113-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morteza Baghalha ◽  
Jürgen Stumper ◽  
David Harvey ◽  
Michael Eikerling
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
Cathode Catalyst ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Cathode Catalyst Layer

Nanofiber Cathode Catalyst Layer Model for a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis O. Dever ◽  
Richard A. Cairncross ◽  
Yossef A. Elabd
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Cathode Catalyst ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Cathode Catalyst Layer ◽  
Exchange Membrane

The cathode catalyst layer in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell is now known to contain ionomer nanofibers and experiments have demonstrated a fuel cell performance increase of ∼10% due to those nanofibers. The experiments demonstrate that ionomer nanofibers have proton conductivities that exceed those of the bulk form of the ionomer by more than an order of magnitude. A new model of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell is presented here that predicts the effect of nanofibers on cell performance in terms of the enhanced nanofiber proton conductivity and other relevant variables. The model peak cell power density is ∼7% greater for the case with 10% of the cathode catalyst layer ionomer in nanofiber form versus the same case without nanofibers. This difference is consistent with trends observed in previously published experimental results. These results are significant since they suggest alternative methods to reduce platinum loading in fuel cells and to optimize fuel cell performance.

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