| Abstract | As described in Chapter 1, there are several types of fuel cells. Of these various types, the PEMFC has captured the most attention among fuel cell researchers. The main features of the PEMFC are:
• Low operating temperature (70–100°C)
• High power density (~1.4 kW/kg)
• High electrical efficiency (40–60%)
• Quiet operation
• Zero emissions
These characteristics explain why the PEMFC has become such a promising fuel cell candidate for powering vehicles, and for both stationary and portable power generation [1].
EIS has played an important role in fuel cell technology development, as one of the most important research tools for fuel cell diagnosis. EIS can help to identify the contributions from different components or processes to the total impedance of a PEM fuel cell. Such information is very helpful for understanding the fundamental processes within the fuel cell, the performance–structure relationships, and the contributions of various components to performance loss, as well as the associated failure modes and mechanisms. EIS thus assists with fuel cell design optimization and selection of the most appropriate fuel cell operating conditions. In this chapter, we will present some typical examples of the applications of EIS in PEM fuel cell research, and an overview of EIS spectra analysis. |
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