Electrochemical Investigation of Fuel Cell Performance

Abstract

There are four types of fuel cells such as Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC), Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell (PAFC), Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell (MCFC), and Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). Fuel cell performance has been electrochemically analyzed. Especially, the temperature dependence of fuel cell performance was investigated. Hydrogen oxidation reaction at the anode and oxygen reduction reaction at the cathode occur in these fuel cells even if electrolytes of fuel cells are different. It is found out that cathode polarizations of these fuel cells depend on temperature. As a result of analyzing the temperature dependence of the cathode polarization and open circuit voltage, th ere is a fuel cell performance peak at 500-800°C and this temperature region is suitable for operating a fuel cell.