Review: Durability and Degradation Issues of PEM Fuel Cell Components

Abstract

Besides cost reduction, durability is the most important issue to be solved before commercialisation of PEM Fuel Cells can be successful. For a fuel cell operating under constant load conditions, at a relative humidity close to 100% and at a temperature of maximum 75 °C, using optimal stack and flow design, the voltage degradation can be as low as 1–2 μV·h. However, the degradation rates can increase by orders of magnitude when conditions include some of the following, i.e. load cycling, start–stop cycles, low humidification or humidification cycling, temperatures of 90 °C or higher and fuel starvation. This review paper aims at assessing the degradation mechanisms of membranes, electrodes, bipolar plates and seals. By collecting long‐term experiments as well, the relative importance of these degradation mechanisms and the operating conditions become apparent.

High-temperature steam reforming of methanol over ZnO–Al2O3 catalysts

“…Unfortunately, the commercialization of PEMFCs has been hindered by some difficulties [1], such as durability, cost and hydrogen storage and distribution, etc. Thereinto, one of the possible solutions for hydrogen storage and distribution is on board hydrogen generation from hydrocarbon fuels or renewable sources.…”

PEM fuel cell cathode contamination in the presence of cobalt ion (Co2+)

“…As the technical maturity of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells advances, insufficient durability remains one of the major barriers hindering their commercialization [1]. This problem, manifested as performance degradation, could be the result of Pt catalyst agglomeration and dissolution, catalyst carbon support corrosion, membrane degradation, and fuel cell contamination caused by feed stream and component impurities [2][3][4][5][6].…”

Catalyst, Membrane, Free Electrolyte Challenges, and Pathways to Resolutions in High Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

“…Nafion TM /PTA (phosphotungstic acid) operating on hydrogen/oxygen at ambient pressure achieve 0.6 V at 180 mA/cm 2 for an operating temperature of 120 • C [35], and Nafion TM -Teflon Zr(HPO 4 ) operating on hydrogen/oxygen at 120 • C achieved 0.6 V at 400 mA/cm 2 [32]. While performance is significantly lower than PEM Nafion TM performance when operated at 80 • C and ambient pressure with saturated reactants, it is roughly equivalent to the performance of Nafion TM /phosphoric acid [36], however there are little to no data on the durability of these membranes at fuel-cell operating conditions Durability of the membrane has been studied by numerous researchers [37][38][39][40][41]. Degradation of Nafion TM has been separated into the following three mechanisms: chemical, thermal, and mechanical.…”