Fuel cell rejuvenation of hygrothermally aged Nafion®

Nafion® membranes stored for long periods at 80 °C under elevated relative humidity up to 95%RH exhibit large modifications of their properties attributed to the sulfonic acid end-group condensation into sulfonic anhydrides. The present study is devoted to the membrane property rejuvenation, namely the hydrolysis of the sulfonic anhydrides under different experimental conditions. Aged membranes were exposed to pure water and to acid solutions or vapors in order to check the reversibility of the condensation reaction. Indeed, the hydrolysis process is slow in pure water and limited while it is fast and complete in the presence of acid or base. The native polymer chemical structure and the main membrane properties (mechanical properties, hydrophilicity, etc.) are completely restored. No evidence of hygrothermal aging was observed after fuel cell operation and it is shown that a membrane previously aged under ex situ conditions can be completely rejuvenated when operated in fuel cell.

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► A Nafion membrane hygrothermally aged can be easily rejuvenated by immersion in acidic or alkaline solutions or in the presence of acid vapors.
► The rejuvenation is only partial when immersed in pure liquid water.
► Hygrothermal aging is not observed during fuel cell operation.
► A Nafion membrane hygrothermally aged can be rejuvenated by fuel cell operation.