Experimental approaches for carbon corrosion analysis in automotive-PEM fuel cells

An appropriate experimental technique comprising of test protocol, test setup, activation method, and recovery method helps accurately quantify the carbon corrosion phenomenon in automotive PEMFCs. This paper provides a comprehensive review of various experimental methods used to study carbon corrosion in automotive polymer exchange membrane fuel cells. Quantifying the extent of carbon corrosion is essential for advancing the technology and implementing effective mitigation strategies. While studying degradation events directly within a real-world fuel cell vehicle offers the most reliable insights, the high costs and time demands make it necessary to develop specialised experimental techniques that provide high-resolution data more efficiently and cost-effectively. This review explores the various experimental approaches utilised in automotive application induced carbon corrosion studies globally, including load profiles, test setups, break-in procedures, and cell recovery protocols. In this paper, emphasis is placed on the standardised procedures proposed by leading institutions worldwide, accompanied by critical discussions on these protocols. Furthermore, the paper highlights modified or innovative procedures developed by smaller institutions, universities, and individual researchers, thereby offering a comprehensive overview essential for carbon corrosion analysis. The review also discusses the fundamental principles, benefits, and limitations of various procedures, offering guidance on selecting the most appropriate approach for a given study. Lastly, it addresses the limitations within the current body of literature and outlines potential future prospects.