Specific approaches to dramatic reduction in stack activation time and perfect long-term storage for high-performance air-breathing polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

摘要: Abstract Air-breathing polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) systems without the humidifier and air blower have been developed to overcome cost complexity of balance plants (BOPs). Until now, there has no specific way improve stack's initial performance through activation protocol maintain for a very long time. Herein, we studied technique finishing total within 1 h by using pre-activation process (i.e., soaking stack in DI-water reservoir) applying current at 0.65 V. The procedure significantly increased swelling Nafion binder catalyst layer, reducing Also, showed that long-term storage humidified N 2 gas closed box did not hinder electrocatalytic activity Pt drying 60 days.