The Effect on PEMFC Contamination of Functional Groups of Some Organic Contaminants

摘要

Ex-situ data for the effect of caprolactam on PEMFC contamination is compared with previously reported data on aniline. Both species have been detected in leachant solutions from materials that may be used in system components and this paper discusses the data relative to fundamental contamination mechanisms such as ion exchange, adsorption, and parallel electrochemical reactions. The protonated caprolactam showed much higher affinity to the membrane at high temperature so that available proton sites are decreased. This result can be explained by the ring opening reaction of lactam which is endothermic reaction. In contrast to aniline, caprolactam does not affect significantly the hydrogen adsorption/desorption reaction of a Pt/C catalyst electrode. However, it affects the peaks associated with the Pt oxidation and PtOx reduction and tends to decrease these reactions.