Computational Modelling of Cationic Contamination in PEFCs: a Multiphase Mixture Approach

Abstract

Cationic contamination of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) is dependent on a liquid water transport mechanism as the cations transport with the liquid water to reach the polymer membrane. A steady state, one dimensional, multiphase model is developed to examine the role of a hydrophobic microporous layer in the transport of liquid water across a two layer gas diffusion media (GDM). At low current density operation (0.2A/cm2), an evaporation front occurs within GDM as water enters the hydrophobic zone, preventing cations from reaching the cathode catalyst layer.