Advanced impedance modeling for micropatterned polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Cathode patterning is an effective means of improving the oxygen reduction reaction in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Because the conventional one-dimensional transmission line model cannot be applied to micropatterned electrodes, impedance modeling for micropatterned electrodes is conducted using a two-dimensional transmission line matrix model. In this study, the charge transfer resistance is considered a function of proton potential in the equivalent circuit based on the Butler-Volmer equation. Micropatterned membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) with three different pattern depths are fabricated, and electrochemical measurements are performed on them. The measured and simulated impedances are evaluated using the distribution of relaxation times analysis results. This study validates the proposed model by comparing the simulated and measured impedances of the MEAs. The experimental and matrix model simulation results confirm that cathode patterning reduces both the charge transfer and proton conduction resistances. For each MEA, the charge transfer resistances obtained by fitting the matrix model to the measured impedances are plotted on a straight line; thus, the Tafel slope is obtained. The matrix model demonstrated in this study leads to the design of patterned electrodes through the impedance analysis of various patterned electrodes.