Electrochemical carbon corrosion in high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Electrochemical carbon corrosion occurring in a high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) operating under non-humidification conditions was investigated by measuring CO2 generation using on-line mass spectrometry and comparing the results with a low-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (LT-PEMFC) operated under fully humidified conditions. The experimental results showed that more CO2 was measured for the HT-PEMFC, indicating that more electrochemical carbon corrosion occurs in HT-PEMFCs. This observation is attributed to the enhanced kinetics of electrochemical carbon corrosion due to the elevated operating temperature in HT-PEMFCs. Additionally, electrochemical carbon corrosion in HT-PEMFCs showed a strong dependence on water content. Therefore, it is critical to remove the water content in the supply gases to reduce electrochemical carbon corrosion.

► The carbon corrosion of HT-PEMFC is evaluated and compared with that of LT-PEMFC.
► Carbon corrosion is investigated by measuring CO2 generation.
► The experimental results show that more carbon corrosion occurs in HT-PEMFCs.
► The enhanced kinetics due to the elevated temperature accelerates carbon corrosion.
► Carbon corrosion in HT-PEMFCs shows a strong dependence on water content.