Polymer-electrolyte fuel cells are a promising energy-conversion technology. Over the last several decades significant progress has been made in increasing their performance and durability, of which continuum-level modeling of the transport processes has played an integral part. In this review, we examine the state-of-the-art modeling approaches, with a goal of elucidating the knowledge gaps and needs going forward in the field. In particular, the focus is on multiphase flow, especially in terms of understanding interactions at interfaces, and catalyst layers with a focus on the impacts of ionomer thin-films and multiscale phenomena. Overall, we highlight where there is consensus in terms of modeling approaches as well as opportunities for further improvement and clarification, including identification of several critical areas for future research. Fuel cells may become the energy-delivery devices of the 21 st century. Although there are many types of fuel cells, polymer-electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) are receiving the most attention for automotive and small stationary applications. In a PEFC, fuel and oxygen are combined electrochemically. If hydrogen is used as the fuel, it oxidizes at the anode releasing proton and electrons according toThe generated protons are transported across the membrane and the electrons across the external circuit. At the cathode catalyst layer, protons and electrons recombine with oxygen to generate waterAlthough the above electrode reactions are written in single step, multiple elementary reaction pathways are possible at each electrode. During the operation of a PEFC, many interrelated and complex phenomena occur. These processes include mass and heat transfer, electrochemical reactions, and ionic and electronic transport. * Electrochemical Society Active Member. z E-mail: azweber@lbl.govOver the last several decades significant progress has been made in increasing PEFC performance and durability. Such progress has been enabled by experiments and computation at multiple scales, with the bulk of the focus being on optimizing and discovering new materials for the membrane-electrode-assembly (MEA), composed of the proton-exchange membrane (PEM), catalyst layers, and diffusionmedia (DM) backing layers. In particular, continuum modeling has been invaluable in providing understanding and insight into processes and phenomena that cannot be resolved or uncoupled through experiments. While modeling of the transport and related phenomena has progressed greatly, there are still some critical areas that need attention. These areas include modeling the catalyst layer and multiphase phenomena in the PEFC porous media.While there have been various reviews over the years of PEFC modeling 1-7 and issues, [8][9][10][11][12][13][14] as well as numerous books and book chapters, there is a need to examine critically the field in terms of what has been done and what needs to be done. This review serves that purpose with a focus on transport modeling of PEFCs. This is not meant to be an exhaustive review...

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The influence of a microporous layer (MPL) on polarization and electrochemical impedance behavior of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) was investigated. Commercial carbon backing electrode with MPL applied on one of its sides were employed for both the anode and cathode. The ohmic, charge-transfer, and mass-transport resistances at various current densities were obtained by deconvolution of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data. PEMFCs with an MPL showed higher performance and lower variability in the charge-transfer and mass-transport regions of the polarization curve (current density above 300mAcm−2 ) within a batch of identically built cells. For cells with and without MPL, the charge-transfer resistance decreased while mass-transport resistance increased with an increase in current density. The difference in charge-transfer resistance for cells with and without MPLs was found to be statistically insignificant due to the large variability in data for cells without MPLs. Cells with MPLs demonstrated lower mass-transport resistance compared to cells without MPL. The time constant for the mass-transport process probed at a low-frequency regime of the impedance was obtained from the Warburg impedance. Among the various possible oxygen-transport processes, the estimated time constant for oxygen transport in the porous transport layer (PTL) was found to be within an order of magnitude of the Warburg-impedance-derived value. Accordingly, it was assessed that the presence of an MPL helped reduce the water saturation in the PTL, thereby improving the oxygen transport to the cathode catalyst layer.

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We report the through-plane thermal conductivities of the several widely used carbon porous transport layers (PTLs) and their thermal contact resistance to an aluminum polarization plate. We report these values both for wet and dry samples and at different compaction pressures. We show that depending on the type of PTL and the existence of residual water, the thermal conductivity of the materials varies from 0.15 W K−1 m−1 to 1.6 W K−1 m−1, one order of magnitude. This behavior is the same for the contact resistance varying from 0.8 m2 K W−1 to 11×10−4 m2 K W−1. For dry PTLs, the thermal conductivity decreases with increasing polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) content and increases with residual water. These effects are explained by the behavior of air, water, and PTFE in between the PTL fibers. It is also found that Toray papers of differing thickness exhibit different thermal conductivities.

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