Analysis of Mass Transport Properties in PEFC with Multilayered Cathode Catalyst Layer

Abstract

PEFC(Polymer Electrochemical Fuel Cell) has been introduced in household and automotive applications. One of the problem of PEFC to be solved is its cell performance improvement. In this research, we focused on the improvement of oxygen and proton transport properties in catalyst layer. From mass transport point of view, the ideal cathode catalyst layer should have different structure for the membrane-side and Gas Diffusion Layer, GDL-side. In this report, Oxygen and proton transport properties in cathode catalyst layer was analyzed and the effect of mass transport properties on cell performance was investigated by evaluating oxygen and proton transport resistance that is obtained from measurements and by optimizing ionomer density of multilayered catalyst layer(I/C ratio).