Microporous layer coated gas diffusion layers for enhanced performance of polymer electrolyte fuel cells

The effects of the composition of microporous layers on the permeability of gas diffusion layers used in polymer electrolyte fuel cells

“…The MPL-coated GDLs were then heat-treated to a temperature 120 for 1 hour, at 280 for 30 minutes and finally sintered at 350 for 30 minutes using nitrogen gas to uniformly distribute the PTFE particles throughout the MPL [8,[13][14]. The thickness of the GDL samples was measured both before and after the MPL-coating using a micrometre.…”

“…The areas of research in this regard are typically on the effects of the loading of the wet-proofing agent [13][14][15][16][17], and the type of carbon black [16,18]. Ismail et al [19] found that the through-plane permeability of the GDL increases as the PTFE loading in the MPL increases from 25 to 50 %.…”

Degradation aspects of water formation and transport in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell: A review

“…Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional SEM image of a cracked MPL where a large-size channel was created across the layer enabling easy passage for the water flow. Under low humidification conditions when maintaining full hydration of the membrane is arduous, the size of MPL pores is kept minimal in order to restrict the flow of by-product water to GDL and avoid drying up the membrane [99]. Kitahara et al [99] were able to improve cell performance under 0% RH of reactant air when they reduced the mean pore diameter of MPL from 10 to 1μm.…”

Lattice Boltzmann Modeling of the Gas Diffusion Layer of the Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell with the Aid of Air Permeability Measurements

“…Fig. 7 presents geometries of the GDL used for the through-plane and in-plane permeability tests [12]. Volumetric air flow rates in through-plane direction, Qth, and in-plane direction, Qin, in the following equations were measured using a mass flow meter (KOFLOC).…”