Polarization curve of partially degraded catalyst layer

A model of a partially degraded catalyst layer (CL) in a fuel cell is reported. The degradation is modeled as a lowering of the exchange current density in a sub-layer at the membrane/CL interface. Degradation of 30 to 40% of the CL thickness may dramatically increase the polarization voltage. At a large current density, the voltage loss in such a two-layer system is close to the loss in a fully degraded CL. Estimates of this effect for a PEMFC cathode and a DMFC anode are performed.