A Simple Model for Carbon Corrosion in PEM Fuel Cell

PEM fuel cell with oxygen on the anode side splits into the direct (D) and reverse (R) domains. In the R–domain, carbon in the cathode catalyst layer is utilized as a fuel, while oxygen on the anode side is reduced. A model of the process based on (C.A.Reiser et al. ESSL, 8 (2005) A273) shows that the carbon corrosion current is in the order of the oxygen–limiting current density in the cell. The model reveals formation of a local hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell at the D/R interface, which supports large in–plane proton current in the membrane.