Analysis of the Influence of Component Degradation on Different Degradation Indexes of PEMFC

To study the effect of component degradation on different degradation indexes of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), a novel model of the PEMFC based on component properties was established. Firstly, the four main components, namely the proton exchange membrane (PEM), catalyst layer (CL), gas diffusion layer (GDL), and bipolar plate (BP), were selected. Moreover, a model of each component reflecting their properties was established and verified. Secondly, calculations of the component properties at the initial state and 5% changed were conducted. The results showed that the effects of the different components' degradation on the different performance and distribution indexes were different. Considering the nine indexes comprehensively, the influence of component degradation on performance degradation was as follows: GDL > PEM = CL > BP.

Automated summary

By establishing a novel PEMFC model based on component properties, the effects of component degradation on different indexes were studied. The results showed that the extent of performance degradation varied among different components.