A Steady-State Impedance Model for a PEMFC Cathode

A model for the simulation of the steady-state impedance response of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) cathode is presented. The catalyst layer of the electrode is assumed to consist of many flooded spherical agglomerate particles surrounded by a small volume fraction of gas pores. Stefan-Maxwell equations are used to describe the multicomponent gas-phase transport occurring in both the gas diffusion layer and the catalyst layer of the electrode. Liquid-phase diffusion of is assumed to take place in the flooded agglomerate particles. Newman's porous electrode theory is applied to determine over-potential distributions. © 2004 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.