Catalyst Layer Durability: The Known Knowns and the Known Unkowns

Catalyst durability and overall electrode longevity remains one of the key aspects required for PEM fuel cell commercialization.  Focussing on platinum dissolution, key characteristics such as the operational conditions and the electrode composition have the capability to significantly influence the rate of overall surface area loss.  However changes in the composition in turn affect other processes such as carbon corrosion and the baseline performance of the membrane electrode assembly.  The mechanistic aspects of platinum dissolution and the key characteristics of the electrode layers are investigated and discussed in the context of increasing lifetimes and the effect on the baseline performance of the MEA.  Further, specific characteristics of different Accelerated Stress Tests are discussed in the context the mechanism, surface coverage, and overall degradation rate.