Development of shut-down process for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Several different shut-down procedures were carried out to reduce the degradation of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The effects of close/open state of outlets of a single cell and application of a dummy load during the shut-down on the degradation of the MEA were investigated. Also, we elucidated the relationship between the thickness of the electrolyte membrane and the degradation of the MEA for different shut-down procedures. When a thin electrolyte membrane was used, the closer of outlets mitigated the degradation during on/off operation. For the thicker electrolyte membrane, the dummy load which eliminates residual hydrogen and oxygen in the electrodes should be applied to lower the degradation.