Determination of electrode sheet resistance in cathode catalyst layer by AC impedance

Y. Liu, M. W. Murphy, D. R. Baker, W. Gu, C. Ji, J. Jorne, H. A. Gasteiger

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

Proton conduction resistance in the cathode electrode with various ionomer/carbon weight ratios (I/C-ratios) was characterized using AC impedance at different relative humidities (RH) in a H2/N2 cell. AC impedance data were analyzed by fitting sheet resistance, Rsheet, sheet capacitance, Csheet, and the high-frequency resistance, HFR, to a simplified transmission-line model with the assumption that the proton resistance and the pseudo-capacitance are distributed uniformly throughout the electrode. For given types of model membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), a percolation threshold for proton conductivity in the electrode was observed at I/C-ratios of approximately <0.6/1. The comparison to H2/O 2 fuel cell performance shows that the ohmic loss in the catalyst layer can be quantified by this technique, and the parameter Rsheet, extracted from the AC impedance spectra is indeed an intrinsic RHdependent electrode property.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationECS Transactions - 7th Symposium Devoted to Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Pages473-484
Number of pages12
Edition1 PART 1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes
Event7th Symposium Devoted to Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells - 212th ECS Meeting - Washington, DC, United States
Duration: 7 Oct 200712 Oct 2007

Publication series

NameECS Transactions
Number1 PART 1
Volume11
ISSN (Print)1938-5862
ISSN (Electronic)1938-6737

Conference

Conference7th Symposium Devoted to Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells - 212th ECS Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWashington, DC
Period7/10/0712/10/07

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