In-phase current and temperature oscillations reduce PEM fuel cell resistivity: A modeling study

TL;DR

This modeling study shows that in-phase current and temperature oscillations can significantly reduce PEM fuel cell resistivity by lowering proton transport losses, with potential for complete elimination of these losses under specific conditions.

Contribution

The paper introduces a non-isothermal analytical impedance model for PEM fuel cell cathode catalyst layers and demonstrates how in-phase oscillations can reduce or eliminate resistive losses.

Findings

In-phase oscillations lower impedance and resistivity.

Proper amplitude selection can eliminate transport losses.

Model provides insights into impedance reduction mechanisms.

Abstract

We have developed a non-isothermal analytical model for the impedance of the cathode catalyst layer (CCL) in a PEM fuel cell. In-phase harmonic perturbations to the current density and temperature reduce the impedance and the static polarisation resistivity of the CCL due to lowering proton transport losses. A special selection of the current and temperature perturbation amplitudes allows for complete elimination of these losses.