This chapter has provided background on electrochemical interfaces and the relationships between impedance spectra and electrochemical interface, for fuel cell researchers or engineers who may not be electrochemists but will apply EIS as
136 X-Z. Yuan, C. Song, H. Wang and J. Zhang
a method of analysis. This chapter should also facilitate better understanding of data analysis methods for EIS results.
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy can yield valuable information.
However, experience and knowledge are necessary to conduct EIS measurements for fuel cells. Attention should be paid to the following:
• Noise
• Input impedance of the instrument (which gives systematic errors)
• Bandwidth of the instrument
• Integration time
• Steady-state
• Stability of the combination cell and instrument (no oscillations)
• Amplitude of the signal (linearity of the cell, use the oscilloscope and frequency spectrum window)
• Voltammetric curve measurements
• Data validation (for instance, using the Kramers–Kronig test)
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