Post-mortem characterization of ME As after different failure modes.

摘要

The durability of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells is a major barrier to the commercialization of these systems for stationary and transportation power applications. This is because commercial viability depends on the improvement of the durability of fuel cell components. Durability is difficult to quantify and improve primarily because of the quantity and time required on testing the materials. To improve fuel cell durability both the assembly and the individual components need to be well characterized to determine and quantify degradation mechanisms that occur. In this work different MEAs prepared with commercial components: Pt/C and PtRu/C catalysts and Nafion ~R membranes has been tested in a PEMFC test station until they have fail under operation. The MEAs has shown failures due to different causes: extreme operation conditions such as dehydration, high intensities... etc, or variable test durations (8-72h).