Guangqi Zhu, Qi Zhang, Chenzhao Li, Haoran Yu, David A. Cullen, Oana C. Marina, Zheng-Hua Li, David M. Wayne, Jian Xie
{"title":"Durability of PGM catalyst MEAs of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells for heavy-duty vehicles","authors":"Guangqi Zhu, Qi Zhang, Chenzhao Li, Haoran Yu, David A. Cullen, Oana C. Marina, Zheng-Hua Li, David M. Wayne, Jian Xie","doi":"10.1016/j.checat.2025.101303","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are promising power sources for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) owing to cleanliness and efficiency. However, the degradation of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) under HDV conditions remains a huge challenge. This work investigated MEA durability under HDV conditions using a US Department of Energy standard accelerated stress test for 180,000 cycles (equivalent to 1 million miles of HDV operation). Effects of catalyst Pt content on MEA durability were examined using homemade 30% Pt/C (H-Pt/C) and commercial 46% Pt/C (C-Pt/C) catalysts. Both MEAs experienced H<sub>2</sub>/air and H<sub>2</sub>/O<sub>2</sub> performance loss over cycles. Analysis with scanning transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and mercury intrusion porosimetry revealed severe degradation of Pt nanoparticles (NPs), support structures, and the catalyst layer. Two degradation stages for NPs were proposed: Ostwald ripening dominated the initial 60,000 cycles, followed by combined Ostwald ripening and particle migration. Measurements with ion chromatography, high-frequency resistance, and oxygen-diffusion resistance revealed degradation of membrane and ionomer, respectively.","PeriodicalId":53121,"journal":{"name":"Chem Catalysis","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":11.5000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Chem Catalysis","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.checat.2025.101303","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, PHYSICAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are promising power sources for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) owing to cleanliness and efficiency. However, the degradation of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) under HDV conditions remains a huge challenge. This work investigated MEA durability under HDV conditions using a US Department of Energy standard accelerated stress test for 180,000 cycles (equivalent to 1 million miles of HDV operation). Effects of catalyst Pt content on MEA durability were examined using homemade 30% Pt/C (H-Pt/C) and commercial 46% Pt/C (C-Pt/C) catalysts. Both MEAs experienced H2/air and H2/O2 performance loss over cycles. Analysis with scanning transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and mercury intrusion porosimetry revealed severe degradation of Pt nanoparticles (NPs), support structures, and the catalyst layer. Two degradation stages for NPs were proposed: Ostwald ripening dominated the initial 60,000 cycles, followed by combined Ostwald ripening and particle migration. Measurements with ion chromatography, high-frequency resistance, and oxygen-diffusion resistance revealed degradation of membrane and ionomer, respectively.
期刊介绍:
Chem Catalysis is a monthly journal that publishes innovative research on fundamental and applied catalysis, providing a platform for researchers across chemistry, chemical engineering, and related fields. It serves as a premier resource for scientists and engineers in academia and industry, covering heterogeneous, homogeneous, and biocatalysis. Emphasizing transformative methods and technologies, the journal aims to advance understanding, introduce novel catalysts, and connect fundamental insights to real-world applications for societal benefit.