Subfreezing operation of polymer electrolyte fuel cells: Ice formation and cell performance loss

In this work, we investigate the cold-start operation of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) through high-resolution neutron radiography, experimental testing, theoretical evaluation, and comparison with model prediction. Ice formation location, voltage evolution, and loss of the electro-catalyst...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Electrochimica acta 2012-03, Vol.65, p.127-133
Main Authors: Mishler, Jeffrey, Wang, Yun, Mukherjee, Partha P., Mukundan, Rangachary, Borup, Rodney L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Applied sciences
Catalysts
Electrolytes
Energy
Energy. Thermal use of fuels
Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc
Evolution
Exact sciences and technology
Experiment
Fuel cells
Ice formation
Mathematical models
Modeling
Neutron imaging
Neutron radiography
Polymer electrolyte fuel cells
Subfreezing operation
Voltage
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Summary:In this work, we investigate the cold-start operation of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) through high-resolution neutron radiography, experimental testing, theoretical evaluation, and comparison with model prediction. Ice formation location, voltage evolution, and loss of the electro-catalyst surface area (ECSA) are examined. A dimensionless parameter ℏ, characterizing the spatial variation of the reaction rate across the cathode catalyst layer, is discussed at subfreezing temperature using newly determined membrane ionic conductivity. The ℏ evaluation identifies the operating range that the reaction rate can be treated uniform across the catalyst layer, in which the model is valid.
ISSN:0013-4686
1873-3859
DOI:10.1016/j.electacta.2012.01.020