The Holby–Morgan Model of Platinum Catalyst Degradation in PEM Fuel Cells: Range of Feasible Parameters Achieved Using Voltage Cycling

Loss of electrochemical surface area in proton-exchange membrane is of large practical importance, since membrane degradation largely affects the durability and life of fuel cells. In this paper, the electrokinetic model developed by Holby and Morgan is considered. The paper describes degradation me...

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Main Author: Victor A. Kovtunenko
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-12-01
Series:Technologies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7080/11/6/184
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author Victor A. Kovtunenko
author_facet Victor A. Kovtunenko
author_sort Victor A. Kovtunenko
collection DOAJ
description Loss of electrochemical surface area in proton-exchange membrane is of large practical importance, since membrane degradation largely affects the durability and life of fuel cells. In this paper, the electrokinetic model developed by Holby and Morgan is considered. The paper describes degradation mechanisms in membrane catalyst presented by platinum dissolution, platinum diffusion, and platinum oxide formation. A one-dimensional model is governed by nonlinear reaction–diffusion equations given in a cathodic catalyst layer using Butler–Volmer relationships for reaction rates. The governing system is endowed with initial conditions, mixed no-flux boundary condition at the interface with gas diffusion layer, and a perfectly absorbing condition at the membrane boundary. In cyclic voltammetry tests, a non-symmetric square waveform is applied for the electric potential difference between 0.6 and 0.9 V held for 10 and 30 s, respectively, according to the protocol of European Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking. Aimed at mitigation strategies, the impact of cycling operating conditions and model parameters on the loss rate of active area is investigated. The global behavior with respect to variation of parameters is performed using the method of sensitivity analysis. Finding feasible and unfeasible values helps to determine the range of test parameters employed in the model. Comprehensive results of numerical simulation tests are presented and discussed.
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spelling doaj.art-1a994e88a60c43abad39a121c5f36af72023-12-22T14:45:40ZengMDPI AGTechnologies2227-70802023-12-0111618410.3390/technologies11060184The Holby–Morgan Model of Platinum Catalyst Degradation in PEM Fuel Cells: Range of Feasible Parameters Achieved Using Voltage CyclingVictor A. Kovtunenko0Department of Mathematics and Scientific Computing, Karl-Franzens University of Graz, NAWI Graz, Heinrichstr. 36, 8010 Graz, AustriaLoss of electrochemical surface area in proton-exchange membrane is of large practical importance, since membrane degradation largely affects the durability and life of fuel cells. In this paper, the electrokinetic model developed by Holby and Morgan is considered. The paper describes degradation mechanisms in membrane catalyst presented by platinum dissolution, platinum diffusion, and platinum oxide formation. A one-dimensional model is governed by nonlinear reaction–diffusion equations given in a cathodic catalyst layer using Butler–Volmer relationships for reaction rates. The governing system is endowed with initial conditions, mixed no-flux boundary condition at the interface with gas diffusion layer, and a perfectly absorbing condition at the membrane boundary. In cyclic voltammetry tests, a non-symmetric square waveform is applied for the electric potential difference between 0.6 and 0.9 V held for 10 and 30 s, respectively, according to the protocol of European Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking. Aimed at mitigation strategies, the impact of cycling operating conditions and model parameters on the loss rate of active area is investigated. The global behavior with respect to variation of parameters is performed using the method of sensitivity analysis. Finding feasible and unfeasible values helps to determine the range of test parameters employed in the model. Comprehensive results of numerical simulation tests are presented and discussed.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7080/11/6/184proton-exchange membrane fuel cellcatalyst degradationplatinum dissolution and oxidationaccelerated stress testsensitivity analysisfeasible region of parameters
spellingShingle Victor A. Kovtunenko
The Holby–Morgan Model of Platinum Catalyst Degradation in PEM Fuel Cells: Range of Feasible Parameters Achieved Using Voltage Cycling
Technologies
proton-exchange membrane fuel cell
catalyst degradation
platinum dissolution and oxidation
accelerated stress test
sensitivity analysis
feasible region of parameters
title The Holby–Morgan Model of Platinum Catalyst Degradation in PEM Fuel Cells: Range of Feasible Parameters Achieved Using Voltage Cycling
title_full The Holby–Morgan Model of Platinum Catalyst Degradation in PEM Fuel Cells: Range of Feasible Parameters Achieved Using Voltage Cycling
title_fullStr The Holby–Morgan Model of Platinum Catalyst Degradation in PEM Fuel Cells: Range of Feasible Parameters Achieved Using Voltage Cycling
title_full_unstemmed The Holby–Morgan Model of Platinum Catalyst Degradation in PEM Fuel Cells: Range of Feasible Parameters Achieved Using Voltage Cycling
title_short The Holby–Morgan Model of Platinum Catalyst Degradation in PEM Fuel Cells: Range of Feasible Parameters Achieved Using Voltage Cycling
title_sort holby morgan model of platinum catalyst degradation in pem fuel cells range of feasible parameters achieved using voltage cycling
topic proton-exchange membrane fuel cell
catalyst degradation
platinum dissolution and oxidation
accelerated stress test
sensitivity analysis
feasible region of parameters
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7080/11/6/184
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