Computational Modeling Aspects of PEFC Durability

The aims of this chapter are to provide a concise review of recent (up to early 2009) studies on PEFC degradation using computer modeling approaches and to present our computational modeling studies on catalyst degradation. The review section includes macroscopic and microscopic modeling of catalyst layer degradation, Pt catalyst loss, carbon substrate corrosion, electrolyte membranes decomposition and other phenomena. In the second part, the Pt surface area loss is modeled considering Pt dissolution, diffusion and deposition in a certain thickness of a catalyst layer using a TEM observation-determined particle size distribution. The results show that the Ostwald ripening is the major cause of the Pt surface area loss in the most parts of the catalyst layer although Pt ion effluence plays a certain role near the electrolyte membrane.