Evaluation of MEA Durability Test Protocols

Abstract

The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) durability test protocols proposed by FCCJ, USFCC and DOE were compared in their deterioration behavior of performances and materials. These MEA durability tests for polymer electrolyte fuel cells were performed using JARI's standard single cell. In the carbon support corrosion test protocols, carbon decomposition (oxidation), collapsing of the porous structure of the carbon support, and agglomeration and dropout of the platinum (Pt) catalyst were observed. A proper fast evaluation can be done by the FCCJ protocol because of the highest applied voltage. In the Pt catalyst stability test protocols, both Pt particle growth and also carbon oxidation were observed in the Pt/C catalyst used in this study. It was found that the carbon oxidation rate was the lowest in the DOE protocol. In the membrane durability test protocols, decomposed fluorine F-and thinning of membrane were observed. Tests results suggest that the FCCJ protocol (using air, without pressure difference between anode and cathode) was the best at early stage evaluation.

Environmental Impact Assessment of PEM Fuel Cell Combined Heat and Power Generation System for Residential Application Considering Cathode Catalyst Layer Degradation

“…The output power drop rate is the ratio of the power at the maximum current density each time to the initial rated power (the current cell density is maximum). In addition, Figure 8 shows the results of durability evaluation tests conducted by Hashimasa et al [53] using the FCCJ load cycle tests protocol, which showed a power degradation rate of approximately 20% at an ECSA degradation rate of 50-60% for the Pt catalysts. By contrast, in the present study, the output degradation rate was 13% for an ECSA degradation rate of 58%.…”

Failure Mode Analysis of Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) for PEMFC under Low Humidity Operation

“…Many AST protocols have been reported and discussed for different MEA components. [12][13] In this study, the AST protocols based on DOE were taken to verify the failure modes of the specific components, such as catalysts and membranes, as well as to minimize confounding effects between different components in MEAs. For the stressors accelerating the ripening effect on electrocatalysts degradation, the load-cycling test protocol was applied.…”

Cold start cycling durability of fuel cell stacks for commercial automotive applications

“…Durability evaluation of PEMs is generally performed using four different protocols: (i) OCV holding tests to highlight chemical degradation; (ii) wet-dry cycling tests to evaluate mechanical deterioration; (ⅲ) start-stop cycling tests; and (ⅳ) load cycling tests. These protocols have been standardized by the United States Fuel Cell Council (USFCC) and the United States Department of Energy (DOE) [26,27]. Similarly in Japan, the Fuel Cell Commercialization Conference of Japan (FCCJ), the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), and the Japan Automobile Research Institute (JARI) have also proposed their own standardized evaluation protocols [28e30].…”