Multiscale simulation of proton transport in the catalyst layer with consideration of ionomer thickness distribution

T. Matsuda, K. Kobayashi, T. Mabuchi, G. Inoue, T. Tokumasu

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

To spread polymer electrolyte fuel cells, improving the cell performance is required. The cell performance depends on various factors. One of the factors that lowers cell performance is proton transport resistance in catalyst layers. Catalyst layers have multiscale structures which influence on proton transport resistance. In this study, to investigate the relationship between structures of catalyst layers and cell performances, mass transport and chemical reactions are calculated in the 3D catalyst layer models. The information about the ionomer thickness dependence on the diffusion coefficient of protons based on the molecular dynamics simulation is introduced to transport calculation in order to analyze nanoscale structure influence on the cell performance. As a result, we have found that the output voltage increases over the whole range of current density with increasing ionomer/carbon ratio considering ionomer thickness dependence. This result suggests that the nanoscale structure in catalyst layer has a large influence on the cell performance. Furthermore, cell performance analysis with ionomer thickness distribution based on experimental values is conduced in this study. The result suggests that contribution of nanoscale proton transport characteristic increases by improving the ionomer distribution model.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPRiME 2020
Subtitle of host publicationPolymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers 20 (PEFC and E 20)
EditorsK. Swider-Lyons, H. Uchida, P. N. Pintauro, W. Mustain, F. Buechi, B. S. Pivovar, C. A. Rice, J. M. Fenton, P. Strasser, K. E. Ayers, A. Z. Weber, R. A. Mantz, H. Xu, S. Mitsushima, E. Kjeang, T. J. Schmidt, B. Lakshmanan, A. Kusoglu, H. Jia, D. J. Jones, D. H. Ha, S. K. Kim
PublisherIOP Publishing Ltd.
Pages187-196
Number of pages10
Edition9
ISBN (Electronic)9781607689041
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020
EventPacific Rim Meeting on Electrochemical and Solid State Science 2020, PRiME 200 - Honolulu, United States
Duration: Oct 4 2020Oct 9 2020

Publication series

NameECS Transactions
Number9
Volume98
ISSN (Print)1938-6737
ISSN (Electronic)1938-5862

Conference

ConferencePacific Rim Meeting on Electrochemical and Solid State Science 2020, PRiME 200
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityHonolulu
Period10/4/2010/9/20

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Engineering(all)

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