The effects of NOx(in a ratio of NO∶NO2=9∶1) and SO2in cathode streamonthe performance of a single proton ex-change membrane fuel cell(PEMFC) were investigated.NOxwith concentrations of 1×10-3%(in volume,the same as fol-lows),1.4×10-2%and 1×10-3%could cause significant detri mental effects on the cell performance.However,nearly com-plete recovery of the cell performance could be observed after NOxwas shut off and purged with clean air.The electrochemicalmeasurements suggested that thei mpacts of NOxresulted mainlyfromthe superposition of the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR),NOand HNO2oxidation reactions,and the increased cathodic i mpedance.Trace SO2with concentrations of 5×10-6%,5×10-3%,2×10-4%and 3.2×10-4%influenced the cell muchseverer,which could be attributed toits strong adsorption onthesurface of Pt atoms.The cell performance could not be completely recovered after purged with clean air and cyclic voltammetry(CV) tests,due to the changes of electrochemical i mpedance spectroscopy(EIS) and electrochemical active surface(EAS) causedby surface state change after SO2exposure.
