Evaluation of electrode performance using a microstructure-based simulation model

The electrochemical performance of electrodes, such as those used in solid oxide fuel cells, depends to a large extent on the microstructure of the electrode material. A modeling approach, based on the lattice Boltzmann simulation method, has been developed to describe the detailed three-dimensional transport and reaction phenomena occurring in a representative sample of porous electrode material. The model geometry is obtained by obtaining statistical information from a two-dimensional micrograph and reconstructing an equivalent three-dimensional structure. The usefulness of this modeling approach is demonstrated by simulating a simplified two-dimensional electrode.