Potential oscillations in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with a Pd–Pt/C anode

We report in this paper the occurrence of potential oscillations in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) with a Pd–Pt/C anode, fed with H2/100 ppm CO, and operated at 30 °C. We demonstrate that the use of Pd–Pt/C anode enables the emergence of dynamic instabilities in a PEMFC. Oscillations are characterized by the presence of very high oscillation amplitude, ca. 0.8 V, which is almost twice that observed in a PEMFC with a Pt–Ru/C anode under similar conditions. The effects of the H2/CO flow rate and cell current density on the oscillatory dynamics were investigated and the mechanism rationalized in terms of the CO oxidation and adsorption processes. We also discuss the fundamental aspects concerning the operation of a PEMFC under oscillatory regime in terms of the benefit resulting from the higher average power output.