Impedance Spectroscopy Characterization of PEM Fuel Cells with Fe-N-C-Based Cathodes

Abstract

© The Author(s) 2019. We report impedance spectroscopy analysis of PEM fuel cells built with platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) Fe-N-C cathodes with the catalyst loading and ionomer to catalyst ratio being variable parameters. The dependence of key cathode transport and kinetic parameters on the cell current density J are obtained in the range from 0.025 to 0.4 A cm−2. The electrode performance is evaluated using the characteristic current densities for proton and oxygen transport in the cathode catalyst layer. Overall, certain electrode configurations demonstrate proton and oxygen transport properties comparable to those of Pt/C systems, making them promising substitutes for platinum at cathodic side of PEM fuel cells.