Performance enhancing break-in method for a PEM fuel cell

摘要

A performance enhancing break-in method for a proton exchange membrane ("PEM") fuel cell ( 12 ) includes cycling potentials of an anode electrode ( 14 ) and a cathode electrode ( 16 ) from a first potential to a second potential and back to the first potential, and repeating the cycling for each electrode ( 14, 16 ) for at least two electrode cycles. The potential cycling may be achieved in a first embodiment by applying a direct current from a programmable direct current power source ( 80 ) to the electrodes. Alternatively the potential cycling may be achieved by varying reactants to which the anode and cathode electrodes ( 14, 16 ) are exposed.