On the influence of methanol addition on the performances of PEM fuel cells operated at subzero temperatures

The storage and the operation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEM FCs) at subzero temperatures result in the ageing and degradation of membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs). In this study, we investigated the effect of a freeze-thaw temperature cycles (from ambient down to −80 °C) on various properties of PFSA membranes and on the performance level of MEAs. The beneficial effects resulting from the addition of methanol vapor to the hydrogen have been put into evidence. Small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) data have been measured on membranes swollen with water and water-methanol mixtures, to identify possible microstructure differences. It was found that the addition of methanol tends to increase the ionic resistivity of the membranes but has a protective effect on the catalytic layers during the freeze-thaw cycles. The degradation rate of the catalytic layer was reduced by almost a factor of two as a result of optimal methanol addition.