Performance of a poly(2,5-benzimidazole)-based polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

Author(s)

Linares, Jose J. ^[1] ; Sanches, Cassandra ^[1] ; Paganin, Valdecir A. ^[1] ; Gonzalez, Ernesto R. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Quim Sao Carlos, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY; v. 37, n. 8, p. 7212-7220, APR 2012.
• Web of Science Citations: 16

Abstract

The performance of an ABPBI-based High Temperature H-2/O-2 PEMFC system was studied under different experimental conditions. Increasing the temperature from 130 to 170 degrees C improved the cell performance, even though further increase was not beneficial for the system. Humidification of the H-2 stream ameliorated this behaviour, even though operating above 170 degrees C is not advisable in terms of cell performance. A significant electrolyte dehydration seems to negatively affect the fuel cell performance, especially in the case of the anode. In the presence of 2% vol. CO in the H-2 stream, the temperature exerted a positive effect on the cell performance, reducing the strong adsorption of this poison on the platinum sites. Moreover, humidification of the H-2 + CO stream increased the maximum power densities of the cell, further alleviating the CO poisoning effects. Actual CO-O-2 fuel cell results confirmed the significant beneficial effect of the relative humidity on the kinetics of the CO oxidation process. Copyright (C) 2011, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/07108-3 - Electrocatalysis IV: fundamental and applied aspects of electrocatalytic processes, bio-electrocatalysis and kinetic instabilities
• Grantee: José Joaquín Linares León
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral