Visualization of the Oxygen Partial Pressure on the Gas Diffusion Layer inside a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell during Cell Operation at Temperatures Higher than 100 °C
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Physical and chemical parameters, such as temperature, water/hydrogen/oxygen partial pressures, are distributed inhomogeneous inside a polymer electrolyte fuel cell during the operation and have a large influence on its performance and durability. In this study, the oxygen partial pressure (p(O2)) is visualized in real‐time/space using an oxygen‐sensitive dye on the surface of the gas diffusion layer (GDL) during power generation at temperatures of 80, 100, and 110 °C using a 20 mm × 20 mm single cell with ten straight gas flow channels. p(O2) on the surface of the GDL is visualized for the first time at temperatures higher than 100 °C, desired especially for heavy‐duty vehicle application, due to advantages such as less susceptibility to catalyst poisoning and the option to use smaller and lighter radiators. The oxygen partial pressure on the surface of the GDLs is monitored to be higher than the values expected from a simple model and decreased only slightly along the gas flow channel with increasing current densities. The work shows that high p(O2) on the surface of the GDL is due to the short gas flow channels and accumulating water/vapor inside the GDL and the catalyst layer limiting the gas diffusion.
Source: ChemElectroChem
Authors: Christopher L. Schreiber, Anna M. Kapulwa, Sonja Blaseio, Hui Jing Cham, Mehtap Oezaslan, Junji Inukai
Institutions: University of Yamanashi, Universität Hamburg
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,750
OpenAlex ID: W4413806221