Acta Phys. -Chim. Sin. ›› 2015, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (12): 2316-2323.doi: 10.3866/PKU.WHXB201510221

• ELECTROCHEMISTRY AND NEW ENERGY • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Simulation of Orientated Catalyst Layer in PEMFC Using a Microstructure Lattice Model

Jie-Jing. ZHANG1,2,*(),Yu-Xin. WANG2,Jian-Feng. ZHANG1,Li. XU2   

  1. 1 School of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Jilin Province Innovation Platform of Straw Comprehensive Utilization Technology, Changchun 130118, P. R. China
    2 State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
  • Received:2015-08-27 Published:2015-12-04
  • Contact: Jie-Jing. ZHANG E-mail:zjjx124@163.com
  • Supported by:
    the National Natural Science Foundation of China(20606025);Jilin Agricultural University, China(201409);Changchun Administration of Science & Technology, China(2013173)

Abstract:

The orientated cathode in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell was simulated and compared with a random cathode using a microstructure lattice model. The differences between catalyst utilization and electrode performance were studied. Transport and electrochemical reactions in the model catalyst layer were calculated. The orientated cathode performed better than the traditional random cathode and was explained by variations of the oxygen levels, the over potential and the reaction rate across the catalyst layer with cell current density. Additionally, we examined the electrode performance at different thicknesses. Unlike the traditional random cathode, a thinner orientated cathode performed better.

Key words: Orientated electrode, Microstructure, Lattice model, Catalyst utilization, Pt/C particle configuration