Key Components Degradation in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Unraveling Mechanisms through Accelerated Durability Testing

Yao, Keguang1,2; Wang, Li1,2; Wang, Xin1,2; Xue, Xiaowu1,2; Li, Shuai1,2; Zhang, Hanwen1,2; Li, Zhengnan1,2; Li, Yanpu1,2; Peng, Gangping1; Wang, Min3; Wang, Haijiang4

2024-09-01

10.3390/pr12091983

PROCESSES   影响因子和分区

2227-9717

In the process of promoting the commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cells, the long-term durability of the fuel cell has become a key consideration. While existing durability tests are critical for assessing cell performance, they are often time-consuming and do not quickly reflect the impact of actual operating conditions on the cell. In this study, improved testing protocols were utilized to solve this problem, which is designed to shorten the testing cycle and evaluate the degradation of the cell performance under real operating conditions more efficiently. Accelerated durability analysis for evaluating the MEA lifetime and performance decay process was carried out through two testing protocols-open circuit voltage (OCV)-based accelerated durability testing (ADT) and relative humidity (RH) cycling-based ADT. OCV-based ADT revealed that degradation owes to a combined mechanical and chemical process. RH cycling-based ADT shows that degradation comes from a mainly mechanical process. In situ fluoride release rate technology was employed to elucidate the degradation of the proton exchange membrane during the ADT. It was found that the proton exchange membrane suffered more serious damage under OCV-based ADT. The loss of F- after the durability test was up to 3.50 x 10-4 mol/L, which was 4.3 times that of the RH cycling-based ADT. In addition, the RH cycling-based ADT had a significant effect on the catalyst layer, and the electrochemically active surface area decreased by 48.6% at the end of the ADT. Moreover, it was observed that the agglomeration of the catalysts was more obvious than that of OCV-based ADT by transmission electron microscopy. It is worth noting that both testing protocols have no obvious influence on the gas diffusion layer, and the contact angle of gas diffusion layers does not change significantly. These findings contribute to understanding the degradation behavior of proton exchange membrane fuel cells under different working conditions, and also provide a scientific basis for developing more effective testing protocols.

accelerated durability test PEMFC degradation MEA

SCI

英语

通讯

Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation[ZR2023LFG005] ; null[QNESL OP 202303]

Engineering

Engineering, Chemical

WOS:001323314100001

MDPI

Web of Science

1.China Huadian Engn Co Ltd, Beijing 100160, Peoples R China
2.Gen Hydrogen Corp Ltd, Shenzhen 518122, Peoples R China
3.China Univ Petr East China, Coll New Energy, Qingdao 266580, Peoples R China
4.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Mech & Energy Engn, Shenzhen 518500, Peoples R China

Yao, Keguang,Wang, Li,Wang, Xin,et al. Key Components Degradation in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Unraveling Mechanisms through Accelerated Durability Testing[J]. PROCESSES,2024,12(9).

Yao, Keguang.,Wang, Li.,Wang, Xin.,Xue, Xiaowu.,Li, Shuai.,...&Wang, Haijiang.(2024).Key Components Degradation in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Unraveling Mechanisms through Accelerated Durability Testing.PROCESSES,12(9).

Yao, Keguang,et al."Key Components Degradation in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Unraveling Mechanisms through Accelerated Durability Testing".PROCESSES 12.9(2024).