Modeling of the effect of mea microstructure on the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

摘要

The potential use of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell based power systems in motive applications is very attactive owing to their ability to provide not only higher efficiencies than the conventional internal combustion engine, but substantially lower emissions and a quieter and smoother ride. The present generation of PEM fuel cells are based on a perfluorosulfonic polymer electrolyte, such as Nafion~circleR, and are operated at low temperatures (approx80 deg C), mild pressures (approx3 to 5 atm), and low platinum loading (0.4 mg/cm~2).