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Study on the relationship between lifetime and flow channel in proton exchange membrane fuel cells.

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Title: Study on the relationship between lifetime and flow channel in proton exchange membrane fuel cells.
Authors: Yu, Yang1,2,3 (AUTHOR), Yu, Qinghua1,3 (AUTHOR) qhyu@whut.edu.cn, Luo, RunSen4 (AUTHOR), Chen, Sheng3,5 (AUTHOR), Yang, Jiebo1,3 (AUTHOR), Yan, Fuwu1,3 (AUTHOR)
Source: Renewable Energy: An International Journal. Jan2026:Part C, Vol. 256, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subject Terms: Proton exchange membrane fuel cells, Channel flow, Three-dimensional modeling, Mechanical efficiency, Electrolytic corrosion, Electrodes
Abstract: The modification of flow channel shape in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) has been shown to effectively enhance power density and overall performance. However, there remains a significant gap in understanding how these shape alterations affect the performance degradation of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and the underlying mechanisms. This study comprehensively considers key degradation factors of the MEA, including catalyst layer (CL) carbon corrosion, platinum (Pt) dissolution, sedimentation, oxidation, and proton exchange membrane (PEM) degradation mechanisms. Furthermore, we explore the structural changes induced by degradation and establish a three-dimensional performance mechanism model for PEMFCs based on these findings. Finally, we analyze the effects of varying flow channel widths on the MEA degradation mechanisms and their relationships with performance improvements. The study found that the established three-dimensional physical model for the performance degradation of PEMFCs fits the degradation process well during the 500 h simulation. Additionally, variations in channel width affect performance degradation; specifically, wider channels lead to more significant performance improvements. However, at a width of 1.4 mm, the rate of performance enhancement begins to slow down, while the degradation rate noticeably accelerates. When the width reaches 1.6 mm, the rate of carbon corrosion significantly increases, whereas at a width of 1.2 mm, the impact on the proton exchange membrane is minimal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: GreenFILE
Description
Abstract:The modification of flow channel shape in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) has been shown to effectively enhance power density and overall performance. However, there remains a significant gap in understanding how these shape alterations affect the performance degradation of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and the underlying mechanisms. This study comprehensively considers key degradation factors of the MEA, including catalyst layer (CL) carbon corrosion, platinum (Pt) dissolution, sedimentation, oxidation, and proton exchange membrane (PEM) degradation mechanisms. Furthermore, we explore the structural changes induced by degradation and establish a three-dimensional performance mechanism model for PEMFCs based on these findings. Finally, we analyze the effects of varying flow channel widths on the MEA degradation mechanisms and their relationships with performance improvements. The study found that the established three-dimensional physical model for the performance degradation of PEMFCs fits the degradation process well during the 500 h simulation. Additionally, variations in channel width affect performance degradation; specifically, wider channels lead to more significant performance improvements. However, at a width of 1.4 mm, the rate of performance enhancement begins to slow down, while the degradation rate noticeably accelerates. When the width reaches 1.6 mm, the rate of carbon corrosion significantly increases, whereas at a width of 1.2 mm, the impact on the proton exchange membrane is minimal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:09601481
DOI:10.1016/j.renene.2025.124057