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A segmented fuel cell unit with functionally graded distributions of platinum loading and operating temperature

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posted on 2020-10-19, 11:12 authored by Lei Xing, Yuanxiang Xu, Željko Penga, Qian Xu, Huaneng Su, Frano Barbir, Weidong Shi, Jin Xuan
© 2020 Elsevier B.V. Desired electrochemical reaction and mass transport rates vary in the operation of PEM fuel cells due to the inhomogeneous spatial distribution of reactants and products. A segmented fuel cell unit was manufactured and a comprehensive model was developed to study the effect of the graded distributions of platinum loading and operating temperature, to simultaneously save the usage of platinum, improve the cell performance and maintain the homogeneity of current density. The increase of temperature towards the cathode outlet improved the reaction kinetics and reduced the liquid water content along the gas flow direction, which decreased the required platinum loading. A large temperature gradient may lead to membrane/ionomer dehydration and oxygen starvation near the cathode outlet due to the increase in the saturation pressure of vapor and the dilution of the increased vapor content. A systematical design of the gradients of platinum loading and temperature achieved an improved cell performance and saved the usage of Pt-based catalysts without worsening the homogeneity of current density.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China (21522603, 21878129, 21978118)

Excellent Youth Foundation of Jiangsu Scientific Committee (BK20140011)

Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu province of China (BK20170530)

the start-up funding for young researchers of Jiangsu University (16JDG061)

Innovation and Creation program of Jiangsu province of China (2016–32)

project STIM-REI, contract number: 38 KK.01.1.1.01.0003

History

School

  • Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering

Department

  • Chemical Engineering

Published in

Chemical Engineering Journal

Volume

406

Publisher

Elsevier

Version

  • AM (Accepted Manuscript)

Rights holder

© Elsevier

Publisher statement

This paper was accepted for publication in the journal Chemical Engineering Journal and the definitive published version is available at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.126889

Acceptance date

2020-08-31

Publication date

2020-09-07

Copyright date

2021

ISSN

1385-8947

Language

  • en

Depositor

Prof Jin Xuan Deposit date: 15 October 2020

Article number

126889

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