Advanced method to measure current gradients in polymer electrolyte fuel cells

摘要

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC) comprise extended areal electrodes where the electrochemical reactions take place. These reactions lead to material conversion and are represented by an electric current. Due to the individual design of electrochemical cells and especially to the type of the flow field an inhomogeneous mass transport of the reactants across the electrode area occurs affecting the performance of the cell as a whole. Measuring the current distribution along the electrode area the design of fuel cell components and the operation modes can be suited to the requirements. Such a technique for measuring lateral current gradients in electrochemical cells working independently from the dynamic cell operation has been developped and applied in a PEFC.