It is important to condition the MEA when you first use the MEA, but do you have to hold a voltage each time?
Thank you in advance.
I guess that would be a good thing given that the properties of a membrane can change significantly during a run. But, it all comes down to what you want to measure. And maybe in your case it would not matter.
Gustav,
Thank you for your response! It gave me some clarity on what the standard protocol is with MEAs. I am just measuring the products produced, so I may need to test out what is best for my system.
- Yes. Its very Important conditioning an MEA before taking its performance analysis by i-v measurements. Conditioning makes membrane humidified sufficiently, water and thermal management, catalyst layer also activates to its maximum during the conditioning of MEA. At least a minimum of 5 hrs is required at a constant voltage or current conditions. Record the i-v measurement after one day of the activation for 5 hrs and then nexy day 5 hrs and then take the i-v curve.
Yes it's important steps for getting good performance and also electrochemical data..............
We usually use a 72 hour (3 days) conditioning period at constant current density (0.2A/cm2) before taking the first i-v curve. The idea is to have uniform conditions throughout the catalyst layer and the membrane, where a lot of water/other electrolyte is redistributed during the initial conditioning.
Indeed, break-in of any new MEA to be tested is a MUST. You can find several testing conditions in literature but I suggest to hold voltage or current at mild conditions between 48 - 100 or up to contant values.
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