Pt Band Formation Enhances the Stability of Fuel Cell Membranes

Enhancing the durability of fuel cells for the transportation sector requires a better understanding of the fundamental processes that cause degradation. Field-operated PEMFCs have been shown to develop a thin parallel band of Pt inside the membrane. Reports on the effect of the Pt band on membrane durability are contradictory. Here, we examined the influence of the Pt band by performing in situ and ex situ membrane degradation tests. We report that the Pt band significantly decreases the rate of membrane degradation, thereby enhancing its longevity. (C) 2013 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.