Platinum Dissolution and Ionomer Redistribution/Degradation in Fuel Cells—An Evaluation

Catalyst has a significant influence on the performance, lifetime, and efficiency of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Platinum (Pt) has been wildly used for its rapid oxygen reduction reaction, but the cost and durability become one of the main challenges for Pt-based electrocatalysts. In this chapter, the degradation characteristics of PEMFCs with Pt black and Pt/C catalyst after continuous operation have been elucidated via electrochemical techniques and morphological characterization methods. To explore the performance degradation of the fuel cells operating in dual recirculation mode for both the anode and cathode, the dynamic characteristics of gas purging of the PEMFC was studied and the effects of the electrolyte and gas management strategy of the fuel cell on performance degradation were detailed.