Potential oscillations in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with a Pd–Pt/C anode

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 196; no. 1; pp. 84 - 89
• Main Authors: Lopes, Pietro P., Ticianelli, Edson A., Varela, Hamilton
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anodes; Applied sciences; Carbon monoxide; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Dynamics; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrocatalysis; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Hydrogen; Membranes; Oscillations; Palladium; PEM fuel cells; Potential oscillations; PtPd; Oscillations; Electrocatalysis; PEM fuel cells; Carbon monoxide; Hydrogen; PtPd; Polymer electrolytes; Anode; Polymer solid electrolyte; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.07.034
• ISSN: 0378-7753

We report in this paper the occurrence of potential oscillations in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) with a Pd–Pt/C anode, fed with H 2/100 ppm CO, and operated at 30 °C. We demonstrate that the use of Pd–Pt/C anode enables the emergence of dynamic instabilities in a PEMFC. Oscillations are characterized by the presence of very high oscillation amplitude, ca. 0.8 V, which is almost twice that observed in a PEMFC with a Pt–Ru/C anode under similar conditions. The effects of the H 2/CO flow rate and cell current density on the oscillatory dynamics were investigated and the mechanism rationalized in terms of the CO oxidation and adsorption processes. We also discuss the fundamental aspects concerning the operation of a PEMFC under oscillatory regime in terms of the benefit resulting from the higher average power output.