Air starvation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells and its beneficial effects on performance

PEM Fuel Cell Applications in Road Transport

“…Therefore, it will start to operate in voltage reversal conditions (electrolytic mode) with the energy provided by the other cells. This anomaly will deteriorate the catalyst and seriously damage the cell [94,95].…”

“…In fact, a lack of hydrogen on the anode side can cause voltage reversal, leading to the collapse of the catalyst carbon carrier, corrosion perforation of the carbon paper and bipolar plate, and even scrapping of the cell. This phenomenon, known as hydrogen starvation, is analogous but more harmful than oxygen starvation on the cathode side [95].…”