The Chemistry of Fuel Cell Membrane Chemical Degradation

A detailed thermochemical and kinetic analysis of PFSA ionomers and the reactive oxygen species formed in an operating fuel cell is reported. The analysis reveals that hydroxyl radical is the only oxygen species capable of abstracting a hydrogen atom from carboxylic acid intermediates, thereby propagating the PFSA main chain unzipping process. Two chemically specific, main chain scission mechanisms are proposed. The first involves formation of sulfonyl radicals under dry conditions and the second invokes the action of hydrogen atoms formed from hydrogen gas and hydroxyl radical. The thermochemical analysis provides a strong basis from which to rationalize the results from a broad range of in-situ and ex-situ fuel cell degradation studies.