Membrane electrode assemblies for PEM fuel cells: A review of functional graded design and optimization

Lei Xing, Weidong Shi, Huaneng Su, Qian Xu, Prodip K. Das, Baodong Mao and Keith Scott

Energy, 2019, vol. 177, issue C, 445-464

Abstract: The use of platinum as a catalyst and the nonuniform distribution of current density inside a membrane electrode assembly result in high cost and low durability, which strongly hinders the wide adoption of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. For proton exchange membrane fuel cells operated at various loads, the required activities and mass transport rates are different because the reactant and product are nonuniformly distributed inside the membrane electrode assembly. Thus, a rational design for a membrane electrode assembly with a spatial distribution of functional components is helpful for reducing the usage of precious components, improving cell performance, and achieving uniform distributions of current density and heat. Herein, the graded design of the functional components in the gas diffusion layer, microporous layer, catalyst layer, and membrane along both the through-plane and in-plane directions within the membrane electrode assembly are reviewed for the purpose of reducing the cost and improving the performance and durability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

Keywords: PEM fuel cell; Membrane electrode assembly; Graded design; Functional components; Optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (31)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:177:y:2019:i:c:p:445-464

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2019.04.084

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