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Chemistry · L5 · Fuel Cell Polarization Curve Loss Regimes

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How the three sequential loss regimes — activation, ohmic, and mass-transport — combine to shape a fuel cell's polarization curve as current density increases from zero to its maximum.

by @openstemUpdated Chemistry
Theoretical open-circuit voltage 1.23 VDraw current: low current density regimeActivation overpotential: steep initial voltage dropDraw more current: intermediate current density regimeOhmic overpotential: roughly linear voltage declineDraw maximum current: high current density regimeMass-transport overpotential: sharp voltage collapseCell voltage approaches zero: maximum current limit reachedSluggish oxygen reduction kineticsResistive losses in membrane and electrodesReactant gas cannot diffuse fast enough, water floods electrode

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