Computational Modelling of Cation Contamination in PEFCs

A steady-state, one dimensional computational model is developed to predict the effect of foreign cation contamination in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). The model solves the coupled transport phenomena of cations, oxygen, and water. Foreign cation (i.e. Na + ) contamination in the air stream found to significantly decrease the performance of PEFC by decreasing protonic current density from 0.72A/cm 2 to 0.25 A/cm 2 at a constant cell voltage of 0.7 V. Foreign cation decreases the oxygen diffusivity causing a decrease in dissolved oxygen concentration in CCL. It also decreases the equilibrium potential due to reduction in proton concentration in the ionomer phase in cathode.