A Review of the Transition Region of Membrane Electrode Assembly of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Design, Degradation, and Mitigation

As the core component of a proton exchange fuel cell (PEMFC), a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) consists of function region (active area), structure region, and transition region. Situated between the function and structure regions, the transition region influences the reliability and durability of the MEA. The degradation of the electrolyte membrane in this region can be induced by mechanical stress and chemical aggression. Therefore, prudent design, reliable and robust structure of the transition region can greatly help avoid early failure of MEAs. This review begins with the summarization of current structural concepts of MEAs, focusing on the transition region structures. It can be seen that aiming at better repeatability and robustness, partly or total integration of the materials in the transition region is becoming a development trend. Next the degradation problem at the transition region is introduced, which can be attributed to the hygro-thermal environment, free radical aggression, air pressure shock, and seal material decomposition. Finally, the mitigation approaches for the deterioration at this region are summarized, with a principle of avoiding the exposure of the membrane at the edge of the catalyst-coated membrane (CCM). Besides, durability test methods of the transition region are included in this review, among which temperature and humidity cycling are frequently used.