Effect of the cyclic freeze-thaw exposure on the performance of PEM fuel cells

In this study, the behaviour of Polymer-Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) single cells with different types of MEA systems have been studied under thermal cycling with respect to structural and electrochemical changes. The cells have been insulated and exposed to repeated freeze-thaw cycles with a minimum temperature of −40°C inside an environmental chamber. To some extent, great differences between the degrees of damage could be found for the various types of MEA systems (e.g. catalyst coated membrane (CCM), catalyst coated substrate (CCS)).