Contact Resistance at PEM-PEM Interfaces: Charged Fluid Flow between Nanochannels

Abstract

For hydrogen fuel cells running at low temperature, a single polymer electrolyte membrane could be fabricated from several layers of ionomer, each with specific properties so as to optimize the functionality of the overall membrane. However, an ohmic resistance between interfaces of two joint polymer electrolyte membranes is observed for which a theoretical explanation is missing. In this contribution, a new model for the charged fluid flow in and between ionomer nanochannels is established and investigated numerically. Employing a statistical analysis over an ensemble of nanochannel connections, the model provides a possible explanation for this interfacial resistance.