Durability of PEMFCs is one of the major barriers to commercialisation of the technology. Research at NPL in this area is related to the development of accelerated testing protocols for the characterisation of degradation mechanisms such as catalyst sintering, membrane failure and corrosion. The relative severity of dynamic load cycling compared to constant load testing of PEMFC performance was demonstrated in early work at NPL. Current work in collaboration with UCL is focused on corrosion of bipolar plate materials for low temperature fuel cells.

Objectives

• To develop accelerated test methods for the characterisation of fuel cell durability
• To investigate degradation mechanisms in PEMFCs

Outputs

• Guide to durability testing of PEM fuel cell electrocatalysts
  DEPC-MN 049, March 2007
• Performance and durability of PEM fuel cells: a review
  NPL Report DEPC-MPE 002, Sept 2004

For more information, please contact Gareth Hinds.