Proton exchange membrane fuel cell anode contamination

Parry V, BerthomS G, Joud J-C, Lemaire O, Franco AA. XPS investigations of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell active layers aging characterization of the mitigating role of an anodic CO contamination on cathode degradation. J Power Sources 2011 196(5) 2530—8. 

Figure 23.8. Effect of CO contamination time on fuel cell performance in H2/IOO ppm CO during the poisoning period anode and cathode Pt on Vulcan XC72 T = 80 °C P(h2) = 0.22 MPa, P(02) = 0.24 MPa [51]. (Reprinted by permission of ECS— The Electrochemical Society, from Oetjen H-F, Schmidt VM, Stimming U, Trila F. Performance data of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell using H2/CO as fuel gas.)...

The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell has been identified as the key component that is probably most affected by the contamination process [1]. An MEA consists of anode and cathode catalyst layers (CLs), gas diffusion layers (GDLs), as well as a proton exchange membrane, among which the CLs present the most important challenges due to their complexity and heterogeneity. The CL is several micrometers thick and either covers the surface of the carbon base layer of the GDL or is coated on the surface of the membrane. The CL consists of (1) an ionic conductor (ionomer) to provide a passage for proton transport ... 

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