Chemical degradation of PFSA ionomer binder in PEMFC's catalyst layer

The degradation of perfluorinated sulfonic acid ionomer (PFSA) binder in catalyst layer of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) was investigated on Membrane-Electrode-Assemblies (MEA) operated up to 10400 h in base load conditions for telecom relay. Soxhlet extractions in water media were performed on the catalyst layer deposited on the Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL). The Soxhlet solutions for anode and cathode sides were analyzed by 19F NMR spectroscopy showing degradation products originating from the ionomer in the catalyst layer. At the cathode side, 1,2,2-tetrafluoro-2-(1,2,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)ethanesulfonic acid were clearly identified. This suggests that PFSA binder degradation originated from an H
- and/or
- OH radical attack of the side chain. The NMR quantification of the degradation products allows a fruitful comparison with the literature. The degradation mechanism of the PFSA binder is different from that of the membrane.