Which mechanism limits hydrogen fuel cell open circuit voltage at standard conditions?

💡 Explanation

At open circuit, oxygen crossover through the membrane creates a mixed potential, reducing the ideal Nernst potential because oxygen reacts directly with hydrogen at the cathode without producing electricity. Therefore oxygen crossover causes mixed potential that limits open circuit voltage, rather than resistance, fouling or drying which limit performance under load.

• Which risk increases substantially when water undergoes electrolysis?
• Which mechanism causes lowered solar cell efficiency because of grain boundaries?
• Which effect inhibits long-range electron transfer within entangled molecules?
• Which effect dominates when a closed Brayton cycle gas turbine operates with excessively high turbine inlet temperature?
• Which mechanism limits the energy absorption of a molecule during UV spectroscopy?
• Which consequence results when turbulence abruptly intensifies within an aircraft's jet engine combustor?