Durability Mechanisms in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) convert chemical energy into electrical power with high efficiency and low emissions, but their widespread adoption is constrained by component degradation over time. Key durability challenges arise at the cathode where platinum‐based catalysts and carbon supports undergo chemical and mechanical deterioration. Platinum dissolution, migration and re‐deposition diminish the electrochemical surface area, while Ostwald ripening and particle coalescence lead to catalyst coarsening and loss of active sites. Concurrent carbon support corrosion under high potentials undermines structural integrity, increasing mass‐transport resistance. Leached metal ions may poison the ionomer and membrane, exacerbating voltage losses. Mechanical stresses from hydration cycles can induce cracks in the membrane electrode assembly, resulting in gas crossover and further performance decline. Advances in alloy catalysts, porous carbon supports and reinforced membranes have mitigated some degradation pathways, but a detailed understanding of how operating conditions interact with intrinsic material properties remains critical. Modelling and accelerated stress tests play an essential role in linking microscopic mechanisms to cell‐level behaviour, informing design strategies that extend fuel cell lifetime under automotive and stationary applications.

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Durability Mechanisms in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in durability mechanisms in proton exchange membrane fuel cells across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Electrochemical surface area (ECSA): The total active area of catalyst particles available for reactions, whose decline signals catalyst degradation.

Ostwald ripening: A mechanism whereby smaller catalyst particles dissolve and redeposit onto larger ones, causing coarsening and loss of active sites.

Accelerated stress test (AST): A protocol applying cyclic voltage or environmental extremes to replicate long‐term degradation in a shortened timeframe.

Roughness factor: The ratio of real electrochemically active surface area to the geometric area, used as a metric of catalyst layer integrity.

Membrane electrode assembly (MEA): The central structure of a PEMFC, comprising catalyst layers, ionomer and polymer membrane, whose durability defines cell lifetime.

References

1. Achieving 5,000-h and 8,000-h Low-PGM Electrode Durability on Automotive Drive Cycles. Journal of The Electrochemical Society (2021).
2. Universal Correlation between Cathode Roughness Factor and H2/Air Performance Losses in Voltage Cycling-Based Accelerated Stress Tests. Journal of The Electrochemical Society (2022).
3. High-Current Density Durability of Pt/C and PtCo/C Catalysts at Similar Particle Sizes in PEMFCs. Journal of The Electrochemical Society (2021).
4. Mitigation of PEM Fuel Cell Catalyst Degradation with Porous Carbon Supports. Journal of The Electrochemical Society (2019).
5. Methodology for Evaluation of Contributions of Ostwald Ripening and Particle Agglomeration to Growth of Catalyst Particles in PEM Fuel Cells. Fuel Cells (2020).