Analysis of performance degradation in the dead-ended anode proton exchange membrane fuel cell under different load profiles

This paper addresses the load profile effect on the long-term performance of dead-ended anode proton exchange membrane fuel cells (DEA-PEMFC). Two fuel cells were fabricated with an identical structure and they were activated using the same methods. Next, they were subjected to the constant and varying load profiles in the DEA mode. Examination of the frequency-dependent resistances, the cathode electrochemical active surface area (ECSA), and the polarization curves of the fuel cells at the same time points showed that, despite the same initial performance, a gradual decrease in performance was observed in both fuel cells, which was mainly due to the degradation of the catalyst layer. The test results showed a sharper drop in the performance parameters at the constant load profile. For example, the charge transfer resistance after 60 h increased by 86% and 17% at the constant and varying load profiles, respectively. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of the cathode catalyst at the end of the tests showed that the more severe corrosion of the carbon substrate and the larger agglomerates of platinum nanoparticles in the constant load profile were the main causes of the reduction in the ECSA and the performance of the fuel cell.