Locally resolved electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of PEFC single cells

Kurzfassung

Presently, the behaviour of fuel cells is mainly investigated only integrally, which is not sufficien for a detailed understanding of the fuel cell performance and durability. In contrast, simulations are frequently performed with high spatial resolution. Therefore, it is necessary to generate experimental data on a spatial resolved level to validate the numerous models available in the literature and to create a more detailed understanding of the fuel cell behaviour. An applied experimental approach for local investigation is the current density measurement, which is related to the local electrochemical mass conversion. The DLR has developed a tool for the current density measurement based on a printed circuit board. This tool is enhanced presently to integrate local electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, which gives information about the local membrane resistance, electrochemical reaction, and transport processes. The issues associated with the implementation of locally resolved impedance spectroscopy, as well as the envisioned solutions will be presented in this contribution.