Temperature Effects on PEM Fuel Cells Pt/C Catalyst Degradation

Today hydrogen-air proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are considered as one of the most promising technologies for transportation applications. We expect that the best vehicle designs will use fuel cell and battery hybrid-power systems. For transportation or hybrid systems, the electrode potential is frequently cycled and platinum dissolution and migration is prevalent. In addition to the high number of potential cycles expected for fuel-cell vehicles, two further research objectives that affect this mode of degradation have been identified: reduced precious metal loadings to lower system cost, and higher temperatures of operation for heat rejection. Running proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells at relatively high temperatures provides benefits that include better reaction kinetics, greater tolerance to CO, easier management of water and improved efficiency of heat rejection. However, the degradation of fuel cell components is expected to be accelerated at higher cell temperatures resulting in shortened cell lifetimes.