Influence of Cyclic Operation on PEM Fuel Cell Catalyst Stability

Effects of variations in time period and voltage level were examined during the cyclic corrosion of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell catalyst. Decay rates in the electrochemical area were found to increase when voltage waves, square or triangular, were cycled at a shorter period, and when the lower voltage level was set below the platinum oxide reduction peak ( vs reversible hydrogen electrode). Cell performance losses were compared to the Tafel prediction. The double layer current densities and approximate electrode wettabilities were found to increase upon cycling.