Effect of vibration and air temperature on the performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)

The use of fossil fuels in transportation produces toxic gas which will damage the environment. Fuel cell is an electrochemical device that directly converts the chemical energy into electricity with water as by-product. Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is one of fuel cell type that is suitable for electric vehicle because of its stability, small dimension as well as its capability to operate at low pressure and temperature. Condition of the normal road will produce vibrations on vehicles in the frequency range of 20-250 Hz. In addition, the confined location of machine causes a significant effect on air temperature. This research is focused on studying the effect of vibration, air temperature, and constant load. The performance of PEMFC was analyzed using electrochemical characterization methods, such as the Open Circuit Potential (OCP), Chronopotentiometry, Potentiodynamic, and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Increasing of air temperature, vibration and constant load result in reduced power of PEMFC, increased ohmic polarization, increased impedance of charge transfer and increased impedance of mass transfer.