Method for removing non-proton cationic impurities from an electrochemical cell and an electrochemical cell

A method of removing non-proton cationic impurities from an ionomer associated with a proton exchange membrane and respective anode side and cathode side catalyst layers of an electrochemical cell, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a supply path for an anode feed to the ionomer on the anode side of the proton exchange membrane;
• b) providing a supply path for a cathode feed to the ionomer on the cathode side of the proton exchange membrane;
• and
• c) bringing a regenerating fluid having an acidic pH in contact with the ionomer on the cathode side of the proton exchange membrane to cause an ion exchange of non-proton cationic impurities with protons and to remove the non-proton cationic impurities from the ionomer into the regenerating fluid.

An electrochemical cell, comprising:

• a) a proton exchange membrane, an anode side catalyst layer, a cathode side catalyst layer, and an ionomer for providing an ionic phase throughout the electrochemical cell;
• b) a supply path for an anode feed to the ionomer on an anode side of said proton exchange membrane;
• c) a supply path for a cathode feed to the ionomer on a cathode side of said proton exchange membrane;
• and
• d) an apparatus for bringing a regenerating fluid with acidic pH in contact with the ionomer on the cathode side of said proton exchange membrane, and optionally on the anode side of said proton exchange membrane, to accomplish an ion exchange of non-proton cationic impurities with protons and thus to remove the non-proton cationic impurities from the ionomer into the regenerating fluid and for extracting the regenerating solution comprising the non-proton cationic impurities from the ionomer.