Multi-Scale Modeling of Hydrogen Transport in a Porous Fuel Cell Anode

Proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are a clean energy conversion alternative to traditional fossil-fuel combustion; however, transport resistances in the electrode pose lower-limit catalyst loading and commercialization of PEMFCs. PEMFCs consist simultaneous hydrogen (H 2 ) oxidation oxygen (O reduction at anode cathode, respectively. While have been widely studied both experimentally analytically, less understood. Herein, we present physics-based model that encompasses multi-scale within side PEMFC. The O cathode here is omitted replaced with H deconvolute resistance contributions, similar pump. Replication pump setup allows for comparison against experimental analysis gas-transport limiting-current experiments, which can also inform gas (including oxygen) general. analytical porous layers individual agglomerates enables determination effects morphology such as agglomerate size, loading, etc . on through complement better understand limiting current experiments local resistances. Electrodes heterogeneous structures formed by carbon particles containing Pt nanoparticles, held together an ion-conducting polymer (ionomer). hence involves multiple phases length-scales: (i) gas-phase pores length scale thickness (micrometer) (ii) diffusion into ionomer film radius (nanometer). Based previous modeling efforts varying length-scales layer, our adequately simultaneously captures reaction-diffusion all aforementioned scales ( i.e. , radius) describe performance. A sensitivity subsequently performed compare generated parameters scales. This work ultimately provides insight will guide design engineering future anodes applications pumping