Challenges and mitigation strategies for general failure and degradation in polymer electrolyte membrane-based fuel cells and electrolysers

Abstract

Green hydrogen production and utilisation technologies employing the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolytic cells (both fuel cells and electrolysers) are being deployed to decarbonise the various energy sectors. PEM fuel cells convert the green hydrogen to electrical energy with water as a byproduct, whereas PEM electrolysers produce green hydrogen by splitting the water molecules. However, at present, the PEM-based fuel cells and electrolysers possess some inherent issues stemming from the failures and degradation of the cell components. This review presents the challenges and mitigation strategies for general cell failure and the degradation mechanisms of perfluorinated PEM-based electrolytic cells. The review begins with an overview of the fundamental principles of PEM electrolytic cells, followed by a detailed discussion of fluorinated membranes, including their associated challenges and environmental concerns. The review then examines common cell failures, addressing catalytic system degradation, water management issues, ohmic losses, and other component degradation. A subsequent section focuses on PEM failures, analysing the mechanisms and pathways that lead to defects such as pinholes, hotspots, cracking, thinning, and other structural deteriorations. Building on this analysis, we propose several mitigation strategies to enhance the performance and durability of PEM fuel cell and electrolyser components. We then recommend these strategies to improve overall PEM fuel cell and electrolyser system performance and offer perspectives on future pathways for commercialising these technologies.