The effects of hydrogen sulfide on the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell anode catalyst: H2S-Pt/C interaction products

► 8 ppm H2S in hydrocarbon reformate leads to premature Pt-based PEMFC failure. ► Elemental sulfur, protons, H2, and SO2 are Pt/C-H2S interaction products. ► Elemental sulfur is indicated as Pt poisonous species. ► Anode electrode potential scans remove almost all sulfur from Pt. ► The air-bleed method confers sulfur tolerance to PEMFCs.