Perspective—Mesoscale Physics in the Catalyst Layer of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells. Issue 7 (16th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grunewald, Jonathan B.; Mistry, Aashutosh N.; Verma, Ankit; Goswami, Navneet; Mukherjee, Partha P.; Fuller, Thomas. F.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Electrochemical Society. Volume 166:Issue 7(2019)
• Page Start: F3089
• Page End: F3092
• Publication Date: 2019-03-16
• Subjects: Electrochemical Engineering -- Fuel Cells - PEM; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; 541.3705
• DOI: 10.1149/2.0111907jes
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4651

Abstract

Abstract : Proton-exchange membranes fuel-cells (PEMFC) electrochemical performance insights are predicated on a detailed understanding of species transport in the cathode catalyst layer (CCL). Traditionally, CCL microstructure considerations were approached through approximations with unresolved pore-scale features. Such simplifications cause the loss of predictability for improving the economic feasibility via lower Pt-loading or non-noble metal catalysts. With advances in visualization, microstructure resolved mesoscale models become possible. A judicious combination of lattice Boltzmann (LBM) and finite volume (FVM) is an appropriate strategy for direct numerical simulation (DNS) of the physicochemical fields that remain unresolved due to spatiotemporal limitations.