A model of an irreversible proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell working at steady-state was established, in which overpotentials, internal currents, and crossover losses were taken into account. The expressions of some key parameters of the fuel cell were derived from the point of electrochemistry and thermodynamics. Based on the irreversible model of the PEM fuel cell, the influence of multi-irreversibilities on fuel cell performance were characterized and compared systematically. The general performance characteristic curves were generated. Moreover, when the electrical circuit was closed with a load in it, the relations between the load resistance and power output density and efficiency were analyzed. The results provide a theoretical basis for both the operation and optimal design of real PEM fuel cells.
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