UV–visible spectroscopy method for screening the chemical stability of potential antioxidants for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

• A novel method is developed to screen the stability of new antioxidants in PEMFCs.
• This method is rapid, inexpensive and versatile.
• Using this new method, three new CeOx samples are screened for their chemical stability.
• In-situ MEA testing is performed to validate the predictions of this method.
• The new method is shown to correctly predict in-situ performance trends.

A novel method based on UV–visible spectroscopy is reported for screening the chemical stability of potential antioxidant additives for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, and the chemical stabilities of three CeOx samples of varying crystallite sizes (6, 13, or 25 nm) are examined. The chemical stabilities predicted by this new screening method are compared to in-situ membrane electrode assembly (MEA) accelerated stress testing, with the results confirming that this rapid and inexpensive method can be used to accurately predict performance impacts of antioxidants.

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