  A carbon corrosion model is developed based on the formation of surface
oxides on carbon and platinum of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell
electrode. The model predicts the rate of carbon corrosion under potential hold
and potential cycling conditions. The model includes the interaction of carbon
surface oxides with transient species like OH radicals to explain observed
carbon corrosion trends under normal PEM fuel cell operating conditions. The
model prediction agrees qualitatively with the experimental data supporting the
hypothesis that the interplay of surface oxide formation on carbon and platinum
is the primary driver of carbon corrosion.
