%0 Journal Article
%K modeling
%K fuel cell
%K Water management
%K NSTF
%K thin catalyst layer
%A Iryna V Zenyuk
%A Prodip K Das
%A Adam Z Weber
%B Journal of The Electrochemical Society
%D 2016
%G eng
%N 7
%P F691 - F703
%R 10.1149/2.1161607jes
%T Understanding Impacts of Catalyst-Layer Thickness on Fuel-Cell Performance via Mathematical Modeling
%V 163
%8 06/2016
%! J. Electrochem. Soc.
%X In this article, a two-dimensional, multiphase, transient model is introduced and used to explore the impact of catalyst-layer thickness on performance. In particular, the tradeoffs between water production and removal through transport or evaporation are highlighted, with a focus on low-temperature performance. For the latter, a case study of an ultra-thin catalyst layer is undergone to explore how various material properties alter the steady-state and startup performance of a cell. The findings provide understanding and guidance to optimize fuel-cell performance with thin electrodes.