抄録
To clarify the degradation mechanism of the perfluorinated polymer electrolytes in polymer electrolyte fuel cells, we studied the decomposition process of the end group of these polymers using the first-principles molecular dynamics method. We successfully clarified that the polymer end model of CF_3CF_2CF_2OH reacts with a hydroxyl radical to generate a water molecule and CF_2O. After CF_2O was desorbed, polymer end model became CF_3CF_2・. CF_3CF_2・reacts with another hydroxyl radical to reproduce the hydroxyl end group. Therefore, it was revealed that cyclic degradation reactions like the unzipping mechanism occur when CF_3CF_2CF_2OH reacts with hydroxyl radicals. Furthermore, it was revealed that the CF_2O desorption reaction is inhibited by surrounding water molecules, while the HF desorption reaction from CF_3CF_2CF_2OH is promoted.
