Effects of basic gas diffusion layer components on PEMFC performance with capillary pressure gradient

Sim, Jaebong; Kang, Myung‐Hee; Min, Kyoungdoug

doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.05.205

Cited by 42 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…As shown in Figure 5, the content of PTFE in both the GDLs in anodes and cathodes influences the performance of PEMFCs significantly [73]. At a low relative humidity (RH) of 30%, the performance of PEMFCs was improved when the PTFE content in the cathode GDL increased from 35% to 60%, with the PTFE content in the anode GDL kept at 35%, due to the enhanced repulsive force between the GDL and liquid water due to the increasing PTFE content.…”

Section: Hydrophobizationmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…However, at a higher RH of 60%, the increasing PTFE content in the cathode GDL resulted in degradation of the performance of PEMFCs. This may be due to the decreasing porosity and increasing tortuosity of the GDL with the increasing PTFE, giving rise to the decreasing drainage capacity of the GDL at a high relative humidity [73]. Giorgi et al [74] studied the case of high current density of 2.3 ± 0.2 Acm −2 , and found that 10 wt % PTFE was the optimal content to give the best performance of MPL and PEMFC.…”

Section: Hydrophobizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Gas Diffusion Layer for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: A Review

et al. 2022

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Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are an attractive type of fuel cell that have received successful commercialization, benefitted from its unique advantages (including an all solid-state structure, a low operating temperature and low environmental impact). In general, the structure of PEMFCs can be regarded as a sequential stacking of functional layers, among which the gas diffusion layer (GDL) plays an important role in connecting bipolar plates and catalyst layers both physically and electrically, offering a route for gas diffusion and drainage and providing mechanical support to the membrane electrode assemblies. The GDL commonly contains two layers; one is a thick and rigid macroporous substrate (MPS) and the other is a thin microporous layer (MPL), both with special functions. This work provides a brief review on the GDL to explain its structure and functions, summarize recent progress and outline future perspectives.

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Section: Hydrophobizationmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Hydrophobizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gas Diffusion Layer for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: A Review

et al. 2022

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“…Xia et al [ 17 ] developed a 3-D PEMFC model and found that increasing the porosity and thickness of the GDL increased the oxygen concentration under the rib, consequently improving the uniformity of oxygen distribution in the GDL. Sim et al [ 18 ] experimentally investigated the effect of the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) content in the GDL on PEMFC performance. They found that the performance deteriorated as the PTFE content in the substrate increased.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Cathode GDL Gradient Porosity Distribution along the Flow Channel Direction on Gas–Liquid Transport and Performance of PEMFC

et al. 2023

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The gas diffusion layer (GDL) is an important component of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), and its porosity distribution has considerable effects on the transport properties and durability of PEMFCs. A 3-D two-phase flow computation fluid dynamics model was developed in this study, to numerically investigate the effects of three different porosity distributions in a cathode GDL: gradient-increasing (Case 1), gradient-decreasing (Case 3), and uniform constant (Case 2), on the gas–liquid transport and performance of PEMFCs; the novelty lies in the porosity gradient being along the channel direction, and the physical properties of the GDL related to porosity were modified accordingly. The results showed that at a high current density (2400 mA·cm−2), the GDL of Case 1 had a gas velocity of up to 0.5 cm·s−1 along the channel direction. The liquid water in the membrane electrode assembly could be easily removed because of the larger gas velocity and capillary pressure, resulting in a higher oxygen concentration in the GDL and the catalyst layer. Therefore, the cell performance increased. The voltage in Case 1 increased by 8% and 71% compared to Cases 2 and 3, respectively. In addition, this could ameliorate the distribution uniformity of the dissolved water and the current density in the membrane along the channel direction, which was beneficial for the durability of the PEMFC. The distribution of the GDL porosity at lower current densities had a less significant effect on the cell performance. The findings of this study may provide significant guidance for the design and optimization of the GDL in PEMFCs.

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“…However, recent studies on PEMFC durability reveal that severe material degradation and micro‐structure damage also occur in MPL due to various factors 15 . MPL usually consists of nano‐sized carbon powder and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which are mixed and coated on the GDL substrate 16 . Therefore, one of the primary concerns is if MPL can sustain under oxidative environment, regarding it is situated proximity to the CL, undergoes similar corrosive environment, and has similar carbon material and larger surface areas 17 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…15 MPL usually consists of nano-sized carbon powder and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which are mixed and coated on the GDL substrate. 16 Therefore, one of the primary concerns is if MPL can sustain under oxidative environment, regarding it is situated proximity to the CL, undergoes similar corrosive environment, and has similar carbon material and larger surface areas. 17 Research on degradation in CL has confirmed that the corrosion of carbon support causes severe deterioration in kinetic performance and mass transport limitation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Durability improvement mechanism of proton exchange membrane fuel cell by microporous layer

Zuo

Jian

Yang

2022

Intl J of Energy Research

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Summary Microporous layer (MPL) has been proven to significantly improve water management in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). However, its effects on fuel cell durability have not been fully revealed. In this contribution, the effects of MPL on the degradation of PEM fuel cells are investigated. Two single fuel cells, with and without MPL at the cathode, are assembled. The aging test is conducted and the cell performance is periodically characterized under various operating conditions. The experimental results show that the presence of MPL can effectively mitigate the degradation of PEMFC. The electrochemical impedance analysis at low current (150 mA cm−2) shows the fuel cell with MPL has a smaller increase in charge transfer resistance during aging test, indicating MPL can mitigate kinetic degradation. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show less thickness reduction in aged catalyst layer of the fuel cell with MPL, indicating MPL can protect the catalyst layer from carbon corrosion and micro‐structure damage. Besides, the effect of MPL on mass transport loss is analysed, and the results show that MPL can alleviate the increase in mass transport loss during aging test. Under either wet (air relative humidity of 75% and 100%) or very low air flow rate conditions, the presence of MPL unambiguously improves the water transport for the fresh cell. Most importantly, the superior water management capability of MPL is sustained after the harsh aging test, reducing mass transfer resistance.

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Effects of basic gas diffusion layer components on PEMFC performance with capillary pressure gradient

Cited by 42 publications

References 53 publications

Gas Diffusion Layer for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: A Review

Gas Diffusion Layer for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: A Review

Effects of Cathode GDL Gradient Porosity Distribution along the Flow Channel Direction on Gas–Liquid Transport and Performance of PEMFC

Durability improvement mechanism of proton exchange membrane fuel cell by microporous layer

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