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Evolution of current distribution and performance degradation mechanism of PEMFC during transient loading under gas starvation condition: An experimental study

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  • Luo, Zongkai
  • Zou, Guofu
  • Chen, Ke
  • Chen, Wenshang
  • Deng, Qihao
  • He, Dandi
  • Xiong, Zhongzhuang
  • Chen, Ben

Abstract

Automotive proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is subject to frequent variations in operating conditions, and gas starvation can lead to dramatic performance deterioration. In this study, the effects of anode gas starvation and cathode gas starvation, as well as simultaneous anode and cathode gas starvation, on the dynamic response process of the PEMFC were innovatively evaluated. Furthermore, this study provides a thorough examination of the mechanism underlying the performance deterioration of PEMFC during gas starvation by creatively combining segmented PEMFC with electrochemical characterization techniques. It is found that under the gas starvation condition, the current distribution exhibited a gradual decrease from the gas inlet to downstream regions, while the gas outlet region displayed a higher current density, indicating voltage reversal phenomena in that area. Compared to anode gas starvation, cathode gas starvation has a greater negative impact on the dynamic response to current loading and has a more significant voltage reversal in the gas outlet region. Analysis by means of electrochemical characterization revealed that the charge transfer resistance in EIS increased from 12.46 mΩ to 14.27 mΩ, representing the decrease in catalyst activity, while the mass transfer resistance increased from 6.07 mΩ to 6.72 mΩ, representing the structural damage in the membrane electrode due to gas starvation hindering mass transfer.

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  • Luo, Zongkai & Zou, Guofu & Chen, Ke & Chen, Wenshang & Deng, Qihao & He, Dandi & Xiong, Zhongzhuang & Chen, Ben, 2025. "Evolution of current distribution and performance degradation mechanism of PEMFC during transient loading under gas starvation condition: An experimental study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 388(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:388:y:2025:i:c:s0306261925004325
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125702
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