Host: The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers
Name : [in Japanese]
Date : October 22, 2016 - October 23, 2016
Insufficient supply of oxygen (O2) to the cathode Pt catalyst layer can be caused by transport resistance, and is a major problem in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. To clarify O2 transport phenomena, a non-destructive technique for measuring the O2 concentration is required. In this study, the O2 concentration at the catalyst layer was measured under operating conditions, using a tiny optical fiber and oxygen indicator. The O2 concentration decreased continuously with decreasing cell voltage. It was considered that a decrease in size of the reaction area was caused by water accumulation and vapor generation. Local O2 concentration measurements suggested that power generation was concentrated at the limited region.
