Abstract
HT-PEMFC based on phosphoric acid-doped polybenzimidazole membranes are a technology characterized by simplified construction and operation along with methanol reformers. Durability issues including acid loss, platinum sintering and carbon corrosion are recognized for both steady state and start-stop cycling operations. This work reports experimental studies on the degradation of PBI-based fuel cells operating with synthetic reformate fuel and air. Degradation stressors include elevated temperatures, pressures, current densities, and start-stop cycles. An average degradation rate of 9.3 mV/h is observed for continuous operation at 0.4 A/cm2 and 160 °C for 12,000 hours. High pressure (1.5 bara) operation at 170 °C and 0.8 A/cm2 shows an average degradation rate of 12.6V/h during a period of 2,000 hours. A start-stop test from 50 °C consisting of 240 cycles between temperatures of 165 and 175 °C and current density of 0.31 and 0.55 A/cm2 reveals a performance decay by 0.48-0.58 mV/cycle.
Original language | English |
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Journal | ECS Transactions |
Volume | 104 |
Issue number | 8 |
Pages (from-to) | 403-413 |
Number of pages | 11 |
ISSN | 1938-5862 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 |