Tin Dioxide as an Effective Antioxidant for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Tin dioxide (SnO2) containing electrodes showed significantly lower radical induced polymer degradation under single cell open circuit voltage (OCV) treatment than SnO2 free electrodes. A backbone related segment was detected under 100% RH, and an oxygen containing side chain segment was detected under 6% RH by 19F NMR. Fluoride ion release was observed in both cases. Low humidity induces greater damage to the polymer under OCV.