Determination Method of Dimensionless Moduli for Estimation of PEFC Performance

To predict PEFC performance without complicated simulation or a lot of experimental data is required for the optimum design of the cell, especially the cathode catalyst layer (CCL). In our previous study, the effectiveness factor of CCL was reported to be a function solely of 4 dimensionless moduli which were derived from the isothermal one-dimensional model of the cathode consisting of oxygen balance, oxygen transport, proton transport, reaction stoichiometry, and rate. In this study, the dependency of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) rate on CCL thickness is analyzed and a method to determine dimensionless moduli is proposed.