Parametric investigation to enhance the performance of a PBI-based high-temperature PEMFC

•A in-house PBI PEMFC is prepared by the Fuel Cell Center of Yuan Ze University.•Parametric effects to enhance the PBI based PEMFC performance are investigated.•Experiments and simulations are performed to study these parametric effects.•Cell performance is enhanced with the lower PBI loading and higher temperature.•Thinner CL thickness and higher acid doping benefit to the cell performance also.

With the advantages of simpler heat and water management, lower CO poisoning, and higher reaction kinetics, the high-temperature polybenzimidazole (PBI)-based proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) can be considered as one of the commercialized energy generators in the near future. This paper experimentally and analytically investigates different design and operating parameters to enhance the performance of a PBI-based PEMFC, an in-house cell prepared in the Fuel Cell Center of Yuan Ze University. These parameters studied include PBI loading, operating temperature, gas flowrate, electrode thickness and porosity, and acid doping level. Experiments are performed to study the effects of PBI loading, operating temperature, and gas flowrate on the cell performance. Validated against the measured data of polarization and power curves, a simplified two-dimensional model for this PBI-based PEMFC is also developed to help the experiments to investigate other parameters. Based on the experimental data and the model predictions, the cell performance can be enhanced as the PBI loading is reduced, the operating temperature is elevated. Thinner electrode thickness, smaller porosity, and higher acid doping level are also predicted to benefit to the performance of the PBI-based PEMFC.