Fast stack activation procedure and effective long-term storage for high-performance polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 328; pp. 75 - 80
• Main Authors: Yang, Seung Yong, Seo, Dong-Jun, Kim, Myeong-Ri, Seo, Min Ho, Hwang, Sun-Mi, Jung, Yong-Min, Kim, Beom-Jun, Yoon, Young-Gi, Han, Byungchan, Kim, Tae-Young
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.10.2016
• Subjects: Inert gas; Long-term storage; Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC); Pt oxidation; Stack activation; Pt oxidation; Stack activation; Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC); Inert gas; Long-term storage
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2016.08.006

Time-saving stack activation and effective long-term storage are one of most important issues that must be resolved for the commercialization of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Herein, we developed the cost-effective stack activation method to finish the whole activation within 30 min and the long-term storage method by using humidified N2 without any significant decrease in cell's performance for 30 days. Specifically, the pre-activation step with the direct injection of DI water into the stack and storage at 65 or 80 °C for 2 h increases the distinctive phase separation between the hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions in Nafion membrane, which significantly reduces the total activation time within 30 min. Additionally, the long-term storage with humidified N2 has no effect on the Pt oxidation and drying of Nafion membrane for 30 days due to its exergonic reaction in the cell. As a result, the high water content in Nafion membrane and the decrease of Pt oxidation are the critical factors that have a strong influence on the activation and long-term storage for high-performance PEMFC. [Display omitted] •Time-saving stack activation and long-term storage for PEMFC were investigated.•The pre-activation by using DI water significantly reduces a whole activation time.•The humidified N2 gas minimizes the Pt oxidation and dying of polymer membrane.