Time Evolution of Local Potentials during PEM Fuel Cell Operation with Dead-Ended Anode

Abstract

We present experimental results obtained with a 2D segmented cell with reference electrodes along the gas channels, used to record local anode and cathode potentials. Aging protocols consisting of repeated dead-end operation sequences were performed to assess the impact of hydrogen starvation on the local fuel cell performance. We observed strong local cathode potential excursion, as well as non-uniform ECSA losses and performance degradation along the cell area. The damage was more pronounced in the regions suffering the longest from fuel starvation: i.e. close to the exit of the anode compartment.