Review: Durability and degradation issues of PEM fuel cell components

F.A. Bruijn, de, V.A.T. Dam, G.J.M. Janssen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

886 Citations (Scopus)
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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 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.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3-22
JournalFuel Cells
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

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