Aging mechanism of Sulfonated poly(aryl ether ketone) (sPAEK) in an hydroperoxide solution and in fuel cell

Ex situ and in situ fuel cell degradation of a sPAEK membrane were investigated. Post-mortem analyses of the aged membrane and of the degradation products eluted in water were carried out by NMR, IR, SEC and EDX. Ex situ agings were performed in a low concentration H2O2 solution (0.07%) without any metallic catalyst. We exemplify that ex situ accelerated aging tests in such hydrogen peroxide solution are relevant to the chemical degradation in fuel cell. We have shown that a 500 h fuel cell test at moderate temperature (60 °C) induces significant modifications on the macromolecules such as a 40% molecular weight reduction. Degradation appears heterogeneous and limited to the cathode side. The model compound approach developed in the previous article (Perrot et al. [42]) has allowed the identification of the aging path in fuel cell. Phenolic and carboxylic acid chain ends have been identified as the main products resulting from polymer chain scissions. The ex situ lifetime (100 h) of the membrane appears very limited with respect to the in situ operating time suggesting that the low H2O2 concentration (0.07%) is still much higher than in fuel cell.