Understanding water management and cathode performance in LT-PEMFCs via EIS and DRT diagnostics

Todorovski, Emilija (avtor), Todorovski, Filip (avtor), Sekavčnik, Mihael (avtor), Mori, Mitja (avtor), Likozar, Blaž (avtor), Lotrič, Andrej (avtor)

Low-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (LT-PEMFCs) are key to sustainable energy technologies, but their performance is highly dependent on cathode operating conditions and membrane hydration. This study employs Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and the Distribution of Relaxation Times (DRT) to analyze the effects of cathode stoichiometry, temperature, cathode feed composition, and hydration levels on key electrochemical processes. The findings highlight the impact of operational parameters on oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics, proton transport, and mass transport resistance. DRT analysis identifies flooding and membrane drying as dominant performance-limiting phenomena. Pure oxygen feed mitigates mass transport limitations, while variations in air stoichiometry and temperature influence charge transfer resistance and proton conductivity. This study enhances understanding of LT-PEMFC behavior under diverse conditions and provides insights for optimizing performance and durability. The results provide diagnostic features and fundamental insights that can guide the development of future diagnostic frameworks for improved fuel cell control, enhanced water management strategies, and long-term operational stability.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: low-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell, LT-PEMFC, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, EIS, distribution of relaxation times analysis, DRT, fuel cell performance diagnostics
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: FS - Fakulteta za strojništvo
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Leto izida: 2026
• Št. strani: 23 str.
• Številčenje: Vol. 15, art. 109024
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-177813
• UDK: 621.352.6:543.42
• ISSN pri članku: 2352-4847
• DOI: 10.1016/j.egyr.2025.109024
• COBISS.SI-ID: 263908355
• Datum objave v RUL: 08.01.2026

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: Energy reports
• Založnik: Elsevier
• ISSN: 2352-4847
• COBISS.SI-ID: 526119705

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: nizkotemperaturne gorivne celice, protonske izmenjevalne membrane, elektrokemična impedančna spektroskopija, analiza porazdelitev relaksacijskih časov, diagnostika delovanja

Projekti

• Financer: ARIS - Javna agencija za znanstvenoraziskovalno in inovacijsko dejavnost Republike Slovenije
• Številka projekta: P2-0401
• Naslov: Energetsko strojništvo

• Financer: ARIS - Javna agencija za znanstvenoraziskovalno in inovacijsko dejavnost Republike Slovenije
• Številka projekta: P2-0152
• Naslov: Kemijsko reakcijsko inženirstvo