Abstract
Cost and durability of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) remain the major hurdles in way of their commercialization. To optimize cell performance and understand degradation mechanisms, mathematical modeling provides an ideal framework. The need to drive towards high power density and thus reduce stack count and cost required optimizing the mass transport and related phenomena within the PEFC. For proton PEFCs, such mass transport is dominated by transport of oxygen molecules to the reaction site within the catalyst layer. For hydroxide PEFCs, additional transport limitations including hydroxide ions and perhaps even hydrogen can become important. In addition, transport phenomena in both cells are hindered by multiphase flow phenomena due to the lower operating temperatures and need for membrane humidification. In this talk, we will explore the limiting transport mechanisms and effects through mathematical modeling and advanced diagnostics.
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