Modeling and Simulation of the Degradation of Perfluorinated Ion-Exchange Membranes in PEM Fuel Cells
Year: 2009
Type: article
Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell model that incorporates chemical degradation in perfluorinated sulfonic acid membranes is developed. The model is based on conservation principles and includes a detailed description of the transport phenomena. A degradation submodel describes the formation of hydrogen peroxide via distinct mechanisms in the cathode and anode, together with the subsequent formation of radicals via Fenton reactions involving metal-ion impurities. The radicals participate in the decomposition of reactive end groups to form carboxylic acid, hydrogen fluoride, and . Degradation proceeds through unzipping of the polymer backbone and cleavage of the side chains. Simulations are presented, and the numerical code is shown to be extremely time-efficient. Known trends with respect to operating conditions are qualitatively captured, and the exhibited behavior is shown to be robust to changes in the rate constants. The feasibility of a chemical degradation mechanism based on peroxide and radical formation is discussed.
DOI: 10.1149/1.3077573
Authors: A. A. Shah, T. R. Ralph, F. C. Walsh
Institutions: University of Southampton, Johnson Matthey (United Kingdom)
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2098163852