A Review of Molecular-Level Mechanism of Membrane Degradation in the Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell

doi:10.3390/membranes2030395

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Membranes 2012, 2(3), 395-414; doi:10.3390/membranes2030395

Review

A Review of Molecular-Level Mechanism of Membrane Degradation in the Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell

Takayoshi Ishimoto¹ and Michihisa Koyama^1,2,*

¹ INAMORI Frontier Research Center, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan ² International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 30 April 2012; in revised form: 18 June 2012 / Accepted: 27 June 2012 / Published: 10 July 2012

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Membranes for Electrochemical Energy Applications)

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Abstract: Chemical degradation of perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membrane is one of the most serious problems for stable and long-term operations of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC). The chemical degradation is caused by the chemical reaction between the PFSA membrane and chemical species such as free radicals. Although chemical degradation of the PFSA membrane has been studied by various experimental techniques, the mechanism of chemical degradation relies much on speculations from ex-situ observations. Recent activities applying theoretical methods such as density functional theory, in situ experimental observation, and mechanistic study by using simplified model compound systems have led to gradual clarification of the atomistic details of the chemical degradation mechanism. In this review paper, we summarize recent reports on the chemical degradation mechanism of the PFSA membrane from an atomistic point of view.

Keywords: polymer electrolyte fuel cell; perfluorosulfonic acid membrane; chemical degradation; molecular level analysis

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MDPI and ACS Style

Ishimoto, T.; Koyama, M. A Review of Molecular-Level Mechanism of Membrane Degradation in the Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell. Membranes 2012, 2, 395-414.

AMA Style

Ishimoto T, Koyama M. A Review of Molecular-Level Mechanism of Membrane Degradation in the Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell. Membranes. 2012; 2(3):395-414.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ishimoto, Takayoshi; Koyama, Michihisa. 2012. "A Review of Molecular-Level Mechanism of Membrane Degradation in the Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell." Membranes 2, no. 3: 395-414.

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