Electrode and Membrane Durability Issues of PEFCs

Our approach focusing on Pt catalyst degradation, carbon corrosion and membrane degradation is reviewed in this paper. For Pt catalyst degradation in potential cycle test, the quantitative TEM image analysis and 1-D chemical engineering model was applied. The Pt particle distribution after the durability test could be explained by the Pt ion diffusion model. For carbon corrosion mitigation, vertically aligned carbon nanotube electrodes were applied. For membrane degradation understanding, membranes with intentionally introduced Pt-band was applied and revealed their higher fluoride emission rate. These results and further efforts would lead us to develop more durable PEFC system.