We are pleased to share the presentation entitled ‘Spatially and Temporally Resolved Stainless Steel Bipolar Plate Degradation Model for PEMFCs’, unveiled at the EFCH2 2025 (European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen) conference in Capri. This work, conducted by the Laboratory of Internal Combustion Engines and Electromobility (LICeM) at the University of Ljubljana, is part of an advanced multi-scale modelling approach for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs).
This presentation details the development of an innovative model for simulating the corrosion of metal bipolar plates (BPPs), a critical issue for the durability of fuel cell systems. The approach combines an advanced performance model (1D+1D) with a mechanistic degradation model.
The core of this study lies in the kinetic modelling of oxide layer growth (iron and chromium) on stainless steel. The model takes into account various degradation stimuli such as potential, pH and temperature to predict the evolution of oxide thickness and metal ion release.
Key points of the presentation:
- Multi-scale approach: A comprehensive virtual representation of the causal chain, ranging from global system parameters to intra-cellular phenomena at the nanometric scale.
- Corrosion mechanisms: Detailed analysis of oxygen vacancy formation and species migration through passivation layers.
- Experimental validation: The model has been rigorously validated by comparison with experimental data, particularly on current density and oxide composition (analysed by ToF-SIMS), achieving accuracy on the order of an atomic layer.
- Spatio-temporal resolution: The results show not only the transient behaviour, but also the variation in oxide thickness along the cell channel, providing a detailed understanding of local heterogeneities.
This modelling framework provides a solid basis for the development of ‘virtual sensors’ for monitoring and utilisation in control systems of PEMFC in real time. Furthermore, consideration of cation fluxes and their role in aggravating the Fenton reaction and membrane degradation, this work supports also the design of more durable materials and the optimisation of operational strategies.