Modelling the PEM fuel cell cathode

Two models of the cathode of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell, a pseudohomogeneous film model and an agglomerate model, have been compared. The influence of different parameters on the shape of the polarization curves has been shown. Curves simulated by use of the two models and different values of oxygen permeability, effective conductivity and thickness of the active layer as well as thickness of the Nafion(R) film surrounding agglomerates have been presented and compared with the experimental results. On the basis of the simulations and the SEM study of the structure of the active catalyst layer it has been concluded that the agglomerate model is a better representation of the active catalyst layer than the pseudohomogeneous film model.