PEM Fuel Cell Degradation Analysis Based on Joint Experimental and Simulation Techniques

The research presented in this paper is aimed at the analysis and quantification of degradation processes in the membrane-electrode-assembly of low-temperature PEM fuel cells based on a joint experimental / simulation based approach.
For this purpose the PEM fuel cell catalyst layer model available in a multi-physics simulation environment is extended from a zero-dimensional interface treatment to a three-dimensional agglomerate approach. The three-dimensional agglomerate catalyst layer model serves as the basis for modelling the effects of degradation on MEA performance and durability by taking into account the fundamental aspects of chemical kinetics, mechanics and physics. Model development and verification is supported by experimental studies of degradation in laboratory cells under well-defined accelerated-stress-test conditions.
Catalyst layer and degradation modeling details are presented together with results of the experimental / simulation based analysis of cells with idealized and industrial flow fields under degradation relevant conditions.