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.
BT - Journal of The Electrochemical Society DA - 01/2018 DO - 10.1149/2.0011806jes IS - 6 LA - eng N2 -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.
PY - 2018 SP - F3007 EP - F3014 ST - J. Electrochem. Soc. T2 - Journal of The Electrochemical Society TI - Development of a Simple and Rapid Diagnostic Method for Polymer-Electrolyte Fuel Cells VL - 165 SN - 0013-4651 ER -