Abstract
The degradation of Nafion membrane by hydrogen peroxide was investigated in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Degradation tests were carried out in a solution of $10{\sim}30%$ hydrogen peroxide containing 4ppm $Fe^{2+}$ ion which is well known as Fenton's reagent at $80^{\circ}C$ for 48hr. Characterization of degraded membranes were examined through the IR, Water-uptake, Ion exchange capacity, mechanical strength and $H_2$ permeability. After degradation, C-F, S-O and C-O chemical bonds of membrane were broken by radical formed by $H_2O_2$ decomposition. Breaking of C-F bond which is the membrane backbone reduced the mechanical strength of Nafion membrane and hence induced pinholes, resulting in increase of $H_2$ crossover through the membrane. Also the decomposition of C-O and S-O, side chain and terminal bond of membrane, decreased the ion exchange capacity of the membrane.
