Combined activation methods for proton-exchange membrane fuel cells

Activating a PEM fuel cell by combining various activation methods could achieve a better performance than if only a single method was used. The combination of the following activation methods, (a) elevated temperature and pressure, (b) hydrogen evolution, and (c) CO oxidative stripping, was studied. First, any of these activation methods could largely increase the fuel cell performance more than a traditional break-in procedure. Second, the effectiveness of the individual methods was in the following sequence: (a) > (b) ≥ (c). Third, if method (a) was carried out after either method (b) or (c), the fuel cell performance could be further increased; but the final performance would be similar to that from just carrying out method (a) itself. Fourth, carrying out either method (b) or (c) after method (a) could further increase the fuel cell performance.