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 (MEA) 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 threedimensional
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.