The effects of hydrogen sulfide on the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell anode catalyst: H2S–Pt/C interaction products

AbstractThe performance of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) operating on a simulated hydrocarbon reformate is described. The anode feed stream consisted of 80% H2, ∼20% N2, and 8ppm hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Cell performance losses are calculated by evaluating cell potential reduction due to H2S contamination through lifetime tests. It is found that potential, or power, loss under this condition is a result of platinum surface contamination with elemental sulfur. Electrochemical mass spectroscopy (EMS) and electrochemical techniques are employed, in order to show that elemental sulfur is adsorbed onto platinum, and that sulfur dioxide is one of the oxidation products. Moreover, it is demonstrated that a possible approach for mitigating H2S poisoning on the PEMFC anode catalyst is to inject low levels of air into the H2S-contaminated anode feeding stream