SOx and NOx Impurities Effect on The Performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) for Electric Vehicle Application

Abstract

Exposure to polluted ambient air is inevitable in vehicular application of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). SO2 and NO2 are common pollutants which in individual are known to alter PEMFC performance for their presence in the oxidant, as indicated by preceding researchers. However, interacting effects of SO2 and NO2 in the oxidant on PEMFC have not been extensively studied. Concerning the vehicular application of PEMFC, durability issue related with SO2 and NO2 - poisoned PEMFC are also necessary to be studied in order to maintain the vehicle's performance. Hence this research encompasses the poisoning effects of SO2 and NO2 on PEMFC performance. Polluted air resulted a significant decrease in performance of PEMFC.