--- res: bibo_abstract: - Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PE fuel cells) working with air at low stoichiometries (<2.0) and standard electrochemical components show a high degree of inhomogeneity in the current density distribution over the active area. An inhomogeneous current density distribution leads to a non-uniform utilization of the active area, which could negatively affect the time of life of the cells. Furthermore, it is also believed to lower cell performance. In this work, the homogenization of the current density, realized by means of tailored cathodes with along-the-air-channel redistributed catalyst loadings, is investigated. The air stoichiometry range for which a homogenization of the current density is achieved depends upon the gradient with which the catalyst is redistributed along the air channel. A gentle increasing catalyst loading profile homogenizes the current density at relatively higher air stoichiometries, while a steeper profile is suited better for lower air stoichiometries. The results show that a homogenization of the current density by means of redistributed catalyst loading has negative effects on cell performance. Model calculations corroborate the experimental findings on homogenization of the current density and deliver an explanation for the decrease in cell performance.@eng bibo_authorlist: - foaf_Person: foaf_givenName: M. foaf_name: Santis, M. foaf_surname: Santis - foaf_Person: foaf_givenName: Stefan Alexander foaf_name: Freunberger, Stefan Alexander foaf_surname: Freunberger foaf_workInfoHomepage: http://www.librecat.org/personId=A8CA28E6-CE23-11E9-AD2D-EC27E6697425 orcid: 0000-0003-2902-5319 - foaf_Person: foaf_givenName: A. foaf_name: Reiner, A. foaf_surname: Reiner - foaf_Person: foaf_givenName: F.N. foaf_name: Büchi, F.N. foaf_surname: Büchi bibo_doi: 10.1016/j.electacta.2006.02.008 bibo_issue: '25' bibo_volume: 51 dct_date: 2006^xs_gYear dct_isPartOf: - http://id.crossref.org/issn/0013-4686 dct_language: eng dct_publisher: Elsevier@ dct_title: Homogenization of the current density in polymer electrolyte fuel cells by in-plane cathode catalyst gradients@ ...