Fuel Cell Transport All-Terrain Transport (FCATT) Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Degradation Mechanism Analysis
Abstract
This purpose of this paper is to report on the investigation and characterization of the degradation mechanisms of the FCATT PEM fuel cell. The FCATT PEM Fuel Cell Failure Analysis Report [1] identified two potential degradation processes occurring in the fuel cell, which were: 1. Both the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) material (located in the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA)) and MEA produced acetic acid when heated to 65C or greater temperatures in deionized water and, 2. The total area of platinum nanoparticle electrocatalyst that coated the inside of the cathode MEA was significantly lower than its anode counterpart for each cell. This lack of platinum on the cathode side was especially apparent in the lowest performing cell, which was also producing the greatest amount of acetic acid on the cathode side of the cell. While the production of acetic acid from the thermal decomposition of the PEM material by itself appears to have a limited impact on performance, I hypothesize that the production of acetic acid (in combination with heat and/or applied electrical bias through the platinum) contributed to the degradation of the platinum nanoparticle electrocatalyst. The degradation and/or loss of the electrocatalyst would have a significant impact on stack performance, so understanding the mechanism behind each process is important to preventing stack damage.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 14, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1065194
Entities
People
- Theodore Burye
Organizations
- United States Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center