Anion-exchange membrane (AEM) degradation during fuel cell operation represents the main challenge that hampers the implementation of AEM fuel cells (AEMFCs). Reported degradation values of AEMs are difficult to reproduce as no standard methods are used. The present use of different techniques based on exposure of membranes to aqueous KOH solutions under different conditions and measuring different outputs during time does not allow for a reliable and meaningful comparison of reported degradation data of different AEMs. In this study, we present a practical and reproducible ex-situ technique to measure AEM degradation in conditions that mimic an operando fuel cell environment. In this novel technique, we measure the change of the true hydroxide conductivity of the AEM over time, while exposing it to different relative humidity conditions. The technique does not make use of liquid alkaline solution, thus simulating real fuel cell conditions and providing a good baseline for comparative degradation studies.

中文翻译：

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在模拟燃料电池环境下测量阴离子交换膜化学稳定性的实用异位技术。

燃料电池运行过程中阴离子交换膜（AEM）的降解代表了阻碍AEM燃料电池（AEMFC）实施的主要挑战。由于未使用标准方法，因此难以再现报告的AEM降解值。基于在不同条件下将膜暴露于KOH水溶液并在一段时间内测量不同输出的不同技术的使用，目前尚无法可靠，有意义地比较不同AEM的降解数据。在这项研究中，我们提出了一个实际的和可重复的易地技术测量在模拟的条件AEM降解operando燃料电池环境。在这项新技术中，我们测量了AEM的真实氢氧化物电导率随时间的变化，同时将其暴露在不同的相对湿度条件下。该技术不使用液态碱性溶液，因此可以模拟真实的燃料电池条件，并为比较降解研究提供良好的基准。