Quantitative analysis of carbon corrosion during fuel cell start-up and shut-down by anode purging

► Carbon corrosion during PEFC start-up and shut-down by anode purging was investigated. ► Conclusions on effects related to the propagation of the gas front were drawn. ► In OCV mode, the gas exchange process is dominated by homogeneous gas displacement. ► The application of a load strongly influences shut-down induced corrosion behavior.