Numerical simulation for non-uniform PtCo catalyst degradation under constant voltage condition and its impact on PEMFC performance

Abstract

PtCo alloys are commonly utilized as catalysts in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) to reduce Pt loading and to achieve higher oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity. However, long-time operation can result in a reduction in electrochemical surface area (ECSA) in PEMFC. Meanwhile, the dissolved Co2+ may also contribute to additional local oxygen transport resistance. In this study, catalyst aging model and Co2+ transport and its effect on oxygen transport model have been integrated with the 3D single phase PEMFC performance model to develop a long-term performance model for investigating the impact of non-uniform catalyst degradation and Co2+ contamination on PEMFC performance during constant voltage operation. The results show that Co2+ contamination causes additional mass transfer losses and reduces the peak power of PEMFC. And it is found that the non-uniform degradation of catalyst and Co2+contamination eventually affects the current density distribution in aged PEMFCs. In addition, the model is also applied to study a 50 cm2 PEMFC under long time constant voltage operation. The predicted ECSA loss is 73.1 % and 62.0 %, and output power reduction is 55.9 % and 43.0 % after 80,000 h at a constant voltage of 0.75 V and 0.65 V, respectively.