Inhomogeneous distribution of platinum and ionomer in the porous cathode to maximize the performance of a PEM fuel cell |
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| Authors: | Lei Xing Weidong Shi Prodip K. Das Keith Scott |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Institute of Green Chemistry and Chemical Technology, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China;2. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China;3. Fluid Dynamics and Thermal Systems Division, School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK;4. School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK |
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| Abstract: | A proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell model, accounting for the combined water transport mechanism, ionomer swelling, water phase‐transfer, two‐phase flow and transport processes, is developed. The inhomogeneous distributions of Pt and ionomer inside the catalyst layer (CL) are numerically studied to achieve an optimal cell performance for two types of oxygen reduction reaction catalysts at different loadings. Results indicate that the optimal variation in loading through the thickness of the electrode (slopes) of Pt catalyst and ionomer vary with conditions of operation. An optimal platinum slope increases the agglomerate effectiveness factor and decreases the second Damköhler number near the CL‐membrane interface. An optimal ionomer slope increases the CL porosity near the GDL‐CL interface and decreases the mass transport resistance of reactant through the ionomer film. Their interaction shows that the optimal platinum slope is a tradeoff between the electrochemical active surface area and porosity at high current densities. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2017 |
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| Keywords: | PEM fuel cell inhomogeneous distribution graded catalyst layer platinum and ionomer loading mathematical modeling |
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