Degradation Investigation of PEMFC by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Direct Gas Mass Spectroscopy

We present a durability test of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) under load cycle operation. Polarization curves of the fuel cell was deteriorated by load cycle, although cross-sectional analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated no identical degradation on the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). In-line direct gas mass spectroscopy (DGMS) analysis successfully detected intermittent peaks of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission in exhausted gas from the cathode, indicating carbon corrosion proceeding during load cycle in the fuel cell.