Resistance Separation of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell by Polarization Curve and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Abstract

The separation of resistances during their measurement is important because it helps to identify contributors in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell performance. The major methodologies for separating the resistances are electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and polarization curves. In addition, an equivalent circuit was selected for EIS analysis. Although the equivalent circuit of PEM fuel cells has been extensively studied, less attention has been paid to the separation of resistances, including protonic resistance in the cathode catalyst layer (CCL). In this study, polarization curve and EIS analyses were conducted to separate resistances considering the charge transfer resistance, mass transport resistance, high frequency resistance, and protonic resistance in the CCL. A general solution was mathematically derived using the recursion formula. Consequently, resistances were separated and analyzed with respect to variations in relative humidity in the entire current density region. In the case of ohmic resistance, high frequency resistance was almost constant in the main operating load range (0.038–0.050 Ω cm2), while protonic resistance in the CCL exhibited sensitivity (0.025–0.082 Ω cm2) owing to oxygen diffusion and water content.

A comprehensive overpotential analysis of high‐power density fuel cell: channel/rid width design

“…The total resistance of the CCM is about 28 ~ 32 mΩ cm 2 , which accounts for more than 50% of HFR, indicating that the proton transfer resistance is the critical factor affecting ohmic polarization. The calculation results of CCM resistance and electron transfer resistance are basically consistent with the previous research 30,31 . Figure 4 also reveals that contact resistance between the GDL and BP is only a small percentage of the total resistance when the GDL is fully compressed in this experiment.…”

“…The calculation results of CCM resistance and electron transfer resistance are basically consistent with the previous research. 30,31 Figure 4 also reveals that contact resistance between the GDL and BP is only a small percentage of the total resistance when the GDL is fully compressed in this experiment. Thus, cell C has the same electron transfer resistance as the other three cells, even though its contact area between GDL and the BP is smaller due to the larger channel/rib width ratio.…”

Low frequency inductive loop in EIS measurements of an open-cathode polymer electrolyte fuel cell stack. Impedance of water vapour diffusion in the cathode catalyst layer

“…Eq. 1 has also been considered in further studies [27,46] for analysis of the CCL using EIS measurements in PEFCs.…”

Thermoelectric Generator as the Waste Heat Recovery Unit of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell: A Numerical Study

“…However, fuel cells and batteries are becoming viable alternatives to diminish and also control the localization of pollutant emissions [3]. Herein, proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are a prominent technology for the automotive industry that electrochemically converts hydrogen and oxygen into water, electricity, and heat [4].…”