Development of a Simple and Rapid Diagnostic Method for Polymer-Electrolyte Fuel Cells

Publication Type

Journal Article

Date Published

01/2018

Authors

Lalit M. Pant, Zhiwei Yang, Michael L. Perry, Adam Z. Weber

DOI

Abstract

A simple and fast diagnostic tool has been developed for analyzing polymer-electrolyte fuel-cell degradation. The tool is based on analyzing changes in polarization curves of a cell over its lifetime. The shape of the polarization-change curve and its sensitivity to oxygen concentration are found to be unique for each degradation pathway based on analysis from a detailed 2-D numerical model of the cell. Using the polarization-change curve methodology, the primary mechanism for degradation (kinetic, ohmic, and/or transport related) can be identified. The technique is applied to two sets of data to explain performance changes after two different cells undergo voltage-cycling accelerated stress test, where it is found that changes are kinetic and then ohmic or transport in nature depending on the cell type. The diagnostic tool provides a simple method for rapid determination of primary degradation mechanisms. Areas for more detailed future investigations are also summarized.

Journal

Journal of The Electrochemical Society

Volume

165

Year of Publication

2018

Issue

6

ISSN

0013-4651

Organization

Research Areas

Laboratory

LBNL

Type

Analysis, Collaborations, Integration, Legacy Papers