Abstract
High Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (HT-PEM) fuel cells are a promising choice for renewable power generation. We present an experimental study that investigates the durability of a full-size fuel cell stack, where membrane electrode assemblies were continuously extracted during operation of the stack, and analysed in detail with electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The evolution of membrane thinning, the loss of phosphoric acid and the changes in the catalyst layer of the electrodes have been investigated as a function of operation time. A correlation between the acid loss and the decrease of cell voltage has been determined to provide detailed insight into durability data of the HT-PEM fuel cell on a commercial sized stack level.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 115588 |
Journal | Applied Energy |
Volume | 277 |
ISSN | 0306-2619 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2020 |