TY - JOUR
T1 - Review: Durability and degradation issues of PEM fuel cell components
AU - Bruijn, de, F.A.
AU - Dam, V.A.T.
AU - Janssen, G.J.M.
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - 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 V·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.
AB - 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 V·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.
U2 - 10.1002/fuce.200700053
DO - 10.1002/fuce.200700053
M3 - Article
SN - 1615-6846
VL - 8
SP - 3
EP - 22
JO - Fuel Cells
JF - Fuel Cells
IS - 1
ER -