An attempt to assess the criticality of chlorides for PEMFC durability in a marine environment

Abstract

This study examines the impact of chloride contamination on proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) in a marine environment, focusing on the physical state of NaCl contaminants. Results indicate that chloride diffusion through the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is significantly slower when NaCl is in crystalline form compared to its dissolved state in water droplets. Chloride contamination in the aqueous phase leads to performance losses at lower concentrations, whereas solid-phase contamination requires much higher exposure levels for similar effects. Additionally, the gas diffusion layer (GDL) plays a key role in limiting the transport of solid NaCl particles. Despite these differences, the study concludes that under typical marine conditions, chloride containing contaminants do not induce substantial irreversible performance degradation. These findings provide new insights into PEMFC durability in maritime applications, emphasizing the importance of contaminant phase and environmental conditions.