Patent ID: 7078118

Claim:
A performance enhancing break-in method for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell ( 12 ), the fuel cell including an anode electrode ( 14 ) and a cathode electrode ( 16 ) secured to opposed sides of a proton exchange membrane electrolyte ( 18 ), the method comprising the steps of: a. cycling a potential of the anode electrode ( 14 ) for a first electrode cycle by changing the potential of the selected electrode ( 14 , 16 ) within a potential range of between 0.00 volts to 1.20 volts front a first potential within the range to a second potential within the range and then changing the potential of the selected electrode ( 14 , 16 ) from the second potential back to the first potential while exposing the anode electrode ( 14 ) to an inert gas and while exposing the cathode electrode ( 16 ) to a gas selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen containing gas, a reducing fluid reactant, and a mixture of a reducing fluid and an inert gas by lowering the potential of the anode electrode ( 14 ) within the potential range by first exposing the anode electrode ( 14 ) to the inert gas while exposing the cathode electrode ( 16 ) to the reducing fluid reactant, and then raising the potential of the anode electrode ( 14 ) within the potential range by exposing the anode electrode ( 16 ) to an oxidant reactant while continuing to expose the cathode electrode ( 16 ) to the reducing fluid reactant; and, b. repeating the cycling of the potential of the anode electrode ( 14 , 16 ) for at least a second electrode cycle.