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Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) face durability challenges, and operating temperature and humidity significantly affect membrane durability.

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What they did

System
MFC

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Abstract

Abstract Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) continue to face cost and durability challenges which need to be addressed before their large scale commercialization. The PEM is an essential component of the fuel cell stack and its durability is thus a critical factor for the overall fuel cell reliability. Significant membrane degradation leads to the development of internal transfer leaks and cell short circuiting irreversibly affecting the fuel cell's functionality. In this study, perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes were investigated for the effects of operating temperature and relative humidity on membrane durability using an open circuit voltage (OCV) accelerated stress test. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to evaluate and optimize the effects of the operating temperature and humidity. As a result, the optimum fuel cell operational region was mapped and suggested as an alternative approach to maintain membrane durability without modifying membrane materials. The mapping could provide valuable guidelines for PEMFC designers and system engineers to optimize the operating conditions during idling to achieve a targeted membrane lifetime.

Key findings

  • Operating temperature and relative humidity impact membrane durability, with significant degradation leading to internal transfer leaks and cell short circuiting.
  • Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to evaluate and optimize the effects of operating temperature and humidity on membrane durability.
  • The optimum fuel cell operational region was mapped, providing guidelines for PEMFC designers and system engineers to optimize operating conditions.

Keywords

DurabilityProton exchange membrane fuel cellStack (abstract data type)Open-circuit voltageMembraneMembrane electrode assembly

Identifiers

DOI
10.1002/fuce.201900173
Journal
Fuel Cells
Year
2020