Coupled Dynamics of Anode and Cathode in Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Author(s)

Nogueira, Jessica A. ^[1] ; Krischer, Katharina ^[2] ; Varela, Hamilton ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Chem Sao Carlos, POB 780, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Tech Univ Munich, Dept Phys, James Franck Str 1, D-85748 Garching - Germany

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ChemPhysChem; v. 20, n. 22, SI AUG 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

An external reference electrode was used to monitor individually the evolution of the anodic and cathodic potentials during the stationary as well as oscillatory operation of a Direct Formic Acid Fuel Cell (DFAFC) and a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC). Besides evidencing the large activation loss in both cells, we were able to observe how the oscillatory operation of such devices affects their cathodes. In fact, cathodic oscillations synchronized with the cell voltage dynamics were observed, hitherto never reported on fuel cells. We have addressed these phenomena taking into account two main coupling processes: through the proton concentration and a global coupling stemming from the control mode (potentiostatic or galvanostatic). (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/09295-9 - Dynamic behavior in low-temperature fuel cells based on oxidation of small organic molecules
• Grantee: Jéssica Alves Nogueira
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 13/16930-7 - Electrocatalysis V: electrocatalytic processes of chemical and electrical energy interconversion
• Grantee: Edson Antonio Ticianelli
• Support type: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/17644-9 - Stability of electrocatalysts towards the electro-oxidation of organic molecules
• Grantee: Jéssica Alves Nogueira
• Support type: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate