Carbon‐support corrosion mechanisms and models

Abstract The most significant challenges to the commercialization of fuel cells are cost and durability. The electrochemical oxidation of carbon in low‐temperature fuel cells reduces the lifetime of these power plants. This article presents a current understanding of carbon oxidation and corrosion mechanisms that accelerate the reaction. Carbon is oxidized under various conditions including the reverse‐current mechanism, which occurs when a fuel cell is started or stopped and during localized fuel starvation. Models and mitigation strategies are presented to enhance the understanding of the reverse‐current mechanism. We conclude that a combined system and material mitigation strategy is necessary to overcome this corrosion mechanism.