Multi-scale modeling to boost fuel cell performance: From pore-scale simulations to better efficiency and durability

According to the European Commission, Europe has set itself a goal to reduce CO2 emission levels by 2050 to 80% of what they were in 1990. Fuel cells and hydrogen have potential to contribute to overcoming the energy challenges that accompany this change. In particular, fuel cells based on proton-exchange membranes (PEM) and fuelled by hydrogen and air have many attractive features, including high power density, rapid start-up and high efficiency. However, among the major technology issues that must be addressed for their commercialization and widespread use, the degradation phenomena of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) plays a key role. In this talk, we present multi-scale morphological models and simulation tools for detailed understanding of degradation phenomena. This kind of modeling techniques can take strong advantage by recent progresses in dual-beam focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM). As an example, we investigate the effects of the catalyst distribution in the electrodes on the local fluid flow and on the loss of phosphoric acid from the membrane.