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Durable pem fuel cell electrode materials: Requirements and benchmarking methodologies

  • Rohit Makharia
  • , Shyam S. Kocha
  • , Paul T. Yu
  • , Mary Ann Sweikart
  • , Wenbin Gu
  • , Frederick T. Wagner
  • , Hubert A. Gasteiger
  • General Motors
  • Inc.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

165 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper discusses methodologies to evaluate durability of catalyst and carbon-support materials used in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cells under relevant automotive accelerated test conditions. Durability of carbon-supported Pt and Pt-alloy catalyst is evaluated under an accelerated voltage-cycling protocol, developed by analyzing idle-to-peak power load-transients of various automotive drive-cycles. Results indicate that Pt catalysts on conventional carbon supports (Pt/C) are unlikely to meet automotive durability target; however, given no loss in specificactivity over time, Pt-alloys are likely to be successful. Shutdown/startup of fuel cell stack and local fuel starvation are recognized as an accelerating mechanism for carbon-support corrosion. Conventional and corrosion-resistant supports are evaluated under an accelerated protocol (1.2V vs. RHE). Corrosion of these currently used supports induces unacceptable masstransport related performance loss at high current densities. Implementation of corrosion-resistant supports in high-performance electrodes, combined with controlled system strategies, will most likely lead to automotive carbon support durability targets being met. copyright The Electrochemical Society.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationDurability and Reliability of Low-Temperature Fuel Cells Systems
PublisherElectrochemical Society Inc.
Pages3-18
Number of pages16
Edition8
ISBN (Electronic)1566774918
ISBN (Print)1566774918, 9781566774918
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006
Externally publishedYes
EventSymposium on Durability and Reliability of Low-Temperature Fuel Cells Systems - 208th Meeting of the Electrochemical Society - Los Angeles, CA, United States
Duration: 16 Oct 200521 Oct 2005

Publication series

NameECS Transactions
Number8
Volume1
ISSN (Print)1938-5862
ISSN (Electronic)1938-6737

Conference

ConferenceSymposium on Durability and Reliability of Low-Temperature Fuel Cells Systems - 208th Meeting of the Electrochemical Society
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityLos Angeles, CA
Period16/10/0521/10/05

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