Method—Practices and Pitfalls in Voltage Breakdown Analysis of Electrochemical Energy-Conversion Systems. Issue 7 (23rd July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gerhardt, Michael R.; Pant, Lalit M.; Bui, Justin C.; Crothers, Andrew R.; Ehlinger, Victoria M.; Fornaciari, Julie C.; Liu, Jiangjin; Weber, Adam Z.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Electrochemical Society. Volume 168:Issue 7(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-07-23
• Subjects: Fuel Cells - PEM -- Electrochemical Engineering -- Theory and Modelling; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; 541.3705
• DOI: 10.1149/1945-7111/abf061
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4651

Abstract

Abstract : Many electrochemical energy-conversion systems are evaluated by polarization curves, which report the cell voltage across a range of current densities and are a global measure of operation and state of health. Mathematical models can be used to deconstruct the measured overall voltage and identify and quantify the voltage-loss sources, such as kinetic, ohmic, and mass-transport effects. These results elucidate the best pathways for improved performance. In this work, we discuss several voltage-breakdown methods and provide examples across different low-temperature, membrane-based electrochemical systems including electrolyzers, fuel cells, and related electrochemical energy-conversion devices. We present best practices to guide experimentalists and theorists in polarization-curve breakdown analysis.