Fuel Cell Durability Enhancement with Cerium Oxide under Combined Chemical and Mechanical Membrane Degradation

A CeO2 supported membrane electrode assembly (MEA) was fabricated by hot-pressing CeO2-coated electrodes and a PFSA ionomer membrane. Upon application of a combined chemical and mechanical accelerated stress test (AST), the CeO2 supported MEA showed six times longer lifetime and 40 times lower fluoride emission rate than a baseline MEA without cerium. The membrane in the CeO2 supported MEA effectively retained its original thickness and ductility despite the highly aggressive AST conditions. Most of the cerium applied on the anode migrated into the membrane and provided excellent mitigation of joint chemical and mechanical membrane degradation.