Cold Start Characteristics of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells must reliably initiate operation at sub-zero temperatures, a process termed cold start. During a cold start, water produced at the cathode may freeze within the membrane, catalyst layer and gas diffusion layer, leading to pore blockage, membrane dehydration and irreversible component degradation. Ice formation dynamics depend on factors such as current density, local water content and warm-up rate, all of which govern heat generation and distribution. Rapid and damage-free cold starts are essential for automotive and portable applications, where timely power delivery and long-term durability are paramount. Strategies including controlled current protocols, targeted heating technologies and tailored porous layer treatments have been investigated to mitigate ice-induced losses, enhance membrane hydration balance and prevent mechanical damage from freeze-thaw cycling. Understanding the interplay of water transport, ionic conductivity and thermal management underpins the global deployment of these devices in harsh climates and supports the transition to low-carbon energy systems.

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Cold Start Characteristics of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in cold start characteristics of polymer electrolyte fuel cells across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell: A device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy by facilitating proton transport through a hydrated ionomer membrane.

Cold Start: The initiation of fuel cell operation at temperatures below the freezing point of water, involving rapid thermal and water-management transients.

Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA): The core sandwich structure comprising the proton-conducting membrane, catalyst layers and gas diffusion layers.

Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL): A porous carbon-based layer that ensures uniform reactant distribution, electrical conduction and water removal.

Catalyst Layer: A composite of platinum-based catalysts and ionomer that enables the electrochemical reactions converting hydrogen and oxygen into water and electricity.

Supercooled Water: Liquid water that remains unfrozen below 0 °C, which may suddenly crystallise during cold start and precipitate ice blockages.

References

1. Ice Formation during PEM Fuel Cell Cold Start: Acceptable or Not?. Advanced Science (2023).
2. Investigation of the transient freeze start behavior of polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Journal of Power Sources (2021).
3. Ice Formation from a Supercooled State and Water Transport through Ionomers during PEFC Cold Startup. Journal of The Electrochemical Society (2021).
4. A Review on Cold Start of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells. Energies (2014).
5. Analysis of the Failure Modes in the Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Cold-Start Process—Anode Dehydration or Cathode Pore Blockage. Energies (2020).
6. Study on Fast Cold Start-Up Method of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Based on Electric Heating Technology. Energies (2020).
7. Effects of Freeze–Thaw Thermal Cycles on the Mechanical Degradation of the Gas Diffusion Layer in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells. Polymers (2019).