Rapid and Flash Tests: Indicator for Quality of HT-PEM Fuel Cells Batches?

In order to control the batch quality of membrane electrode assemblies (MEA), two new short tests have been developed. The first being a rapid test, composed of a start-up and break-in followed by initial characterization and has a test duration of about 65 h, while the second is a flash test, which is reduced by the break-in, so that the maximum duration is 8 h. These tests have been compared with classical accelerated stress tests like load cycling at high current densities and start/stop-cycling. For the investigations presented in this publication, high temperature polymer electrolyte MEAs from two different suppliers were used. The extensive electrochemical characterization clearly shows that the newly introduced fast tests can be used to check the batch qualities. In addition to the electrochemical investigations, the phosphoric acid content of all MEAs has been determined and exsitu micro-computed tomography analysis has been performed.