IN-SITU MEMBRANE RESISTANCE MEASUREMENTS IN POLYMER ELECTROLYTE FUEL-CELLS BY FAST AUXILIARY CURRENT PULSES

A solid-state current pulse generator for in situ membrane resistance measurements by superimposed square current pulses in polymer electrol yte fuel cells was designed and built. The choice of the measuring tec hnique and of parameters of the instrumentation was based on a critica l analysis of the relevant electrochemical and physical processes. The inductance of the current pulse path is very low (approximate to 5 nH ), because the last stage of the generator is directly attached to the fuel cell. This low inductance permits the generation of 5 A pulses w ith extremely fast (decay time 5 ns) trailing edges (accompanied by a moderate ringing), which in turn makes it possible to measure the volt age transient induced by the current decay, with gigahertz resolution. The voltage transient is analyzed in a time window of 200 to 700 ns a fter the end of the pulse. By measurements in this time window, it is possible to separate accurately the ohmic series resistance of the cel l (membrane resistance) from the other overpotentials at the electroch emical interfaces. Because the pulse current path is independent of th e de loop, the resistance can be measured independently of the de valu e, i.e., at open circuit and under high current density conditions. Th e instrument was tested, and the results were analyzed for accuracy. R esistances down to 2 m Omega can be measured with an error of <5%; The influence of the pulse length and pulse amplitude on the cell voltage response was also investigated. For cell resistances in the order of few milliohms, a current pulse amplitude of 5 A is the minimum require ment for accurate measurements.