A Review of Proton Exchange Membrane Degradation Pathways, Mechanisms, and Mitigation Strategies in a Fuel Cell
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have the potential to tackle major challenges associated with fossil fuel-sourced energy consumption. Nafion, a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membrane that has high proton conductivity and good chemical stability, is a standard proton exchange membrane (P...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/5/998 |
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| author | Dharmjeet Madhav Junru Wang Rajesh Keloth Jorben Mus Frank Buysschaert Veerle Vandeginste |
| author_facet | Dharmjeet Madhav Junru Wang Rajesh Keloth Jorben Mus Frank Buysschaert Veerle Vandeginste |
| author_sort | Dharmjeet Madhav |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have the potential to tackle major challenges associated with fossil fuel-sourced energy consumption. Nafion, a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membrane that has high proton conductivity and good chemical stability, is a standard proton exchange membrane (PEM) used in PEMFCs. However, PEM degradation is one of the significant issues in the long-term operation of PEMFCs. Membrane degradation can lead to a decrease in the performance and the lifespan of PEMFCs. The membrane can degrade through chemical, mechanical, and thermal pathways. This paper reviews the different causes of all three routes of PFSA degradation, underlying mechanisms, their effects, and mitigation strategies. A better understanding of different degradation pathways and mechanisms is valuable in producing robust fuel cell membranes. Hence, the progress in membrane fabrication for PEMFC application is also explored and summarized. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-25T00:31:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b2ffdc76f217423599f1caee5b5133ad |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-25T00:31:26Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-b2ffdc76f217423599f1caee5b5133ad2024-03-12T16:42:58ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732024-02-0117599810.3390/en17050998A Review of Proton Exchange Membrane Degradation Pathways, Mechanisms, and Mitigation Strategies in a Fuel CellDharmjeet Madhav0Junru Wang1Rajesh Keloth2Jorben Mus3Frank Buysschaert4Veerle Vandeginste5KU Leuven Bruges, Department of Materials Engineering, Surface and Interface Engineered Materials, 8200 Bruges, BelgiumKU Leuven Bruges, Department of Materials Engineering, Surface and Interface Engineered Materials, 8200 Bruges, BelgiumDepartment of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USAKU Leuven Bruges, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mechanics and Energy Conversion, 8200 Bruges, BelgiumKU Leuven Bruges, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mechanics and Energy Conversion, 8200 Bruges, BelgiumKU Leuven Bruges, Department of Materials Engineering, Surface and Interface Engineered Materials, 8200 Bruges, BelgiumProton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have the potential to tackle major challenges associated with fossil fuel-sourced energy consumption. Nafion, a perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membrane that has high proton conductivity and good chemical stability, is a standard proton exchange membrane (PEM) used in PEMFCs. However, PEM degradation is one of the significant issues in the long-term operation of PEMFCs. Membrane degradation can lead to a decrease in the performance and the lifespan of PEMFCs. The membrane can degrade through chemical, mechanical, and thermal pathways. This paper reviews the different causes of all three routes of PFSA degradation, underlying mechanisms, their effects, and mitigation strategies. A better understanding of different degradation pathways and mechanisms is valuable in producing robust fuel cell membranes. Hence, the progress in membrane fabrication for PEMFC application is also explored and summarized.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/5/998fuel cellsPEMFCNafiondegradationmitigation strategies |
| spellingShingle | Dharmjeet Madhav Junru Wang Rajesh Keloth Jorben Mus Frank Buysschaert Veerle Vandeginste A Review of Proton Exchange Membrane Degradation Pathways, Mechanisms, and Mitigation Strategies in a Fuel Cell Energies fuel cells PEMFC Nafion degradation mitigation strategies |
| title | A Review of Proton Exchange Membrane Degradation Pathways, Mechanisms, and Mitigation Strategies in a Fuel Cell |
| title_full | A Review of Proton Exchange Membrane Degradation Pathways, Mechanisms, and Mitigation Strategies in a Fuel Cell |
| title_fullStr | A Review of Proton Exchange Membrane Degradation Pathways, Mechanisms, and Mitigation Strategies in a Fuel Cell |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Review of Proton Exchange Membrane Degradation Pathways, Mechanisms, and Mitigation Strategies in a Fuel Cell |
| title_short | A Review of Proton Exchange Membrane Degradation Pathways, Mechanisms, and Mitigation Strategies in a Fuel Cell |
| title_sort | review of proton exchange membrane degradation pathways mechanisms and mitigation strategies in a fuel cell |
| topic | fuel cells PEMFC Nafion degradation mitigation strategies |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/5/998 |
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