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Modeling of the effects of cathode catalyst layer design parameters on performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

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  • He, Pu
  • Mu, Yu-Tong
  • Park, Jae Wan
  • Tao, Wen-Quan

Abstract

A comprehensive macroscopic three-dimensional multiphase non-isothermal polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) model coupled with an improved electrochemical kinetics model considering the geometric structure parameters of the cathode catalyst layer (CCL) and oxygen transport process in CCL is developed. The effects of five CCL design parameters are investigated. It is found that the Pt loading of CCL has a significant effect on the performance, a low platinum (Pt) loading is more likely to cause oxygen starvation. The increase of Pt/C ratio can promote the performance significantly at a lower Pt/C ratio. A lower I/C ratio is good for the enhancement of limiting current density, a larger I/C ratio is good for the increase of maximum power density, and the increase in I/C ratio is better for the uniformity of membrane water distribution. With the decrease of carbon particle radius, the oxygen concentration on the Pt surface of CCL increases significantly. The increase of electrochemical specific area (ECSA) of Pt particles can promote the performance. In addition, a discussion on applicability of new correlations of capillary pressure-water saturation and effective diffusivity and their effects on the predicted PEMFC performance is presented.

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  • He, Pu & Mu, Yu-Tong & Park, Jae Wan & Tao, Wen-Quan, 2020. "Modeling of the effects of cathode catalyst layer design parameters on performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 277(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:277:y:2020:i:c:s0306261920310679
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115555
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    4. Miao Ye & Long Rong & Xu Ma & Weiwei Yang, 2023. "Numerical Optimization of Triple-Phase Components in Order-Structured Cathode Catalyst Layer of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-19, February.
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    6. Ming Peng & Enci Dong & Li Chen & Yu Wang & Wen-Quan Tao, 2022. "Effects of Cathode Gas Diffusion Layer Configuration on the Performance of Open Cathode Air-Cooled Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-21, August.
    7. Ahmed Mohmed Dafalla & Lin Wei & Bereket Tsegai Habte & Jian Guo & Fangming Jiang, 2022. "Membrane Electrode Assembly Degradation Modeling of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-26, December.
    8. Yu, Rui Jiao & Guo, Hang & Ye, Fang & Chen, Hao, 2022. "Multi-parameter optimization of stepwise distribution of parameters of gas diffusion layer and catalyst layer for PEMFC peak power density," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    9. Li, Hui & Eghbalian, Nasrin, 2021. "Numerical studies of effect of integrated through-plane array flow field on novel PEFC performance using BWO algorithm under uncertainties," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 231(C).
    10. Chen, Lei & Chen, Yanyu & Tao, Wen-Quan, 2023. "Schroeder's paradox in proton exchange membrane fuel cells: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    11. Teng Teng & Xin Zhang & Qicheng Xue & Baodi Zhang, 2024. "Research of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Modeling on Concentration Polarization under Variable-Temperature Operating Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-17, February.
    12. Wan, Yue & Qiu, Diankai & Yi, Peiyun & Peng, Linfa & Lai, Xinmin, 2022. "Design and optimization of gradient wettability pore structure of adaptive PEM fuel cell cathode catalyst layer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
    13. Wei, Pengnan & Chang, Guofeng & Fan, Ruijia & Xu, Yiming & Chen, Siqi, 2023. "Investigation of output performance and temperature distribution uniformity of PEMFC based on Pt loading gradient design," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 352(C).
    14. Abdollahipour, Armin & Sayyaadi, Hoseyn, 2022. "A novel electrochemical refrigeration system based on the combined proton exchange membrane fuel cell-electrolyzer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    15. Yuan, Hao & Dai, Haifeng & Ming, Pingwen & Li, Sida & Wei, Xuezhe, 2022. "A new insight into the effects of agglomerate parameters on internal dynamics of proton exchange membrane fuel cell by an advanced impedance dimension model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    16. Kim, Eunji & Song, Seunghwan & Choi, Seoeun & Park, Jung Ock & Kim, Junghwan & Kwon, Kyungjung, 2021. "Parameter analysis from the modeling of high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    17. Kang, Zhenye & Wang, Hao & Liu, Yanrong & Mo, Jingke & Wang, Min & Li, Jing & Tian, Xinlong, 2022. "Exploring and understanding the internal voltage losses through catalyst layers in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis devices," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    18. Saeidfar, Asal & Yesilyurt, Serhat, 2023. "Numerical investigation of the effects of catalyst layer composition and channel to rib width ratios for low platinum loaded PEMFCs," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 339(C).

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