Low-temperature, polymer-based fuel cells and water electrolyzers using anion conductive polymers have several potential advantages over acid-based polymer electrolyzers. However, the long-term durability of the ion conducting polymer has not been investigated to the same extent as proton conducting polymers. Further, accelerated aging test conditions with known acceleration factors have not been developed.

In this study, a family of poly(norbornene) polymers used in fuel cells and electrolyzers was aged under a variety of conditions to determine the aging rate and acceleration factors. In particular, the relationship between temperature, alkalinity, and time were investigated.