Benefits of Membrane Electrode Assemblies with Asymmetrical GDL Configurations for PEM Fuel Cells

Schweiss, Ruediger

doi:10.1002/fuce.201500133

Cited by 17 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…To efficiently perform the above functions, the GDL is usually wet-proofed [3][4][5][6][7]. Further, it is normally coated with the so-called micro-porous layer (MPL) on the side facing the catalyst layer in order to enhance the electrical contact with the catalyst layer and properly handle the liquid water emerging from the cathode catalyst layer [1][2][9][10]. The MPL is a mixture that typically consists of carbon black and PTFE particles [1,11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Orogbemi

Ingham

Ismail

et al. 2016

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Orogbemi

Ingham

Ismail

et al. 2016

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

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“…In the works of Kannan et al, 21,22 the authors observed that through the application of an MPL with carbon nanofibers the maximum power output of the fuel cell increased by 0.55W/cm 2 compared to the fuel cell with the conventional MPL. Schweiss et al 23,24 reported that compared to a conventional MPL (SGL 25 BC) an MWCNT-doped MPL (SGL 25 BN) exhibited 7.7 times higher gas permeability and resulted in a decrease in ohmic resistance of 9%. Additionally, the MWCNT-doped MPL resulted in a hydrophilic and highly porous MPL that allowed for the effective removal of liquid water from the cathode.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…19-29 While conventional MPLs consist of carbon black particles and a hydrophobic agent, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), recent findings [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] suggest that nano carbon additive materials in the MPL can further enhance fuel cell performance. Park et al 19 showed that the adoption of carbon nanofibers and carbon nanotubes (CNT) in the MPL resulted in increased air permeability and enhanced fuel cell performance.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tanuma et al 28,29 fabricated hydrophilic MPLs composed of vapor-grown carbon fibers and ionomer, and the authors obtained favorable performance with the application of hydrophilic MPLs in both the anode and cathode. According to the aforementioned works, [19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] the MPLs containing MWCNTs were particularly beneficial for liquid water removal. However, the underlying mechanisms for water management in these MWCNT-based MPLs have not been identified within the literature.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Multiwall Carbon Nanotube-Based Microporous Layers for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Lee

Banerjee

George

et al. 2017

J. Electrochem. Soc.

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The presence of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) corresponded to a dispersion of carbon black particles in the microporous layer (MPL) of the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The gas diffusion layer (GDL) with a MWCNT-based MPL exhibited larger pores and a higher porosity compared to a conventional GDL, and less MPL intrusion into the GDL substrate was observed with the MWCNTs-based MPL. The GDLs were evaluated in operando in a fuel cell that was customized for concurrent liquid water visualization (synchrotron X-ray radiography) and electrochemical characterization. The MWCNT-based fuel cell exhibited higher power densities and lower mass transport resistances compared to the fuel cell with the conventional GDL; however, a higher liquid water saturation was observed for the MWCNT-based GDL. Although the liquid water saturation in the MWCNTbased GDL was higher, its higher effective porosity led to superior performance compared to the conventional fuel cell. The use of the MWCNTs-based MPL resulted in improved oxygen transport in the fuel cell, particularly at high current densities. The achievement of effective water management in the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell remains a challenge. Excess liquid water accumulation in the gas diffusion layer (GDL) hinders the transport of oxygen in the fuel cell. Reduced oxygen diffusion in the liquid water saturated GDL leads to efficiency losses and unstable performance.1,2 However, the commonly used bi-layered GDL (containing a carbon fiber substrate and a microporous layer (MPL)) has been shown to enhance liquid water management and the overall performance of the fuel cell. [3][4][5][6][7][8] In recent years, significant effort has been devoted to developing novel carbon fiber substrates and MPLs.9-18 Thomas et al. 9 developed a novel method for preparing hydrophobic GDLs via the electrochemical reduction of diazonium salts. GDLs were prepared with homogenous hydrophobicity distributions in the absence of pore structure modifications. Nguyen et al. 10 introduced the direct fluorination of the GDL for providing homogenous hydrophobicity. Less liquid water content was observed in these novel GDLs compared to the conventional GDL (SGL 24 BC) when visualized with soft X-rays. In the works of Forner-Cuenca et al.,11,12 a patterning of wettability was applied to a Toray GDL through radiation grafting. Hydrophilic regions facilitated preferential pathways for liquid water transport, while hydrophobic regions facilitated gas transport. Chevalier et al.13 created a novel GDL via electrospinning and radiation grafting. Ko et al.14 proposed a novel GDL through the dry deposition of hydrophobic silicone nanolayer on carbon fibers. The longterm operational stability and dynamic response of the GDL were improved.On the other hand, a number of works have focused on MPL additives for improving water management in fuel cells.19-29 While conventional MPLs consist of carbon black particles and a hydrophobic agent, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), recent ...

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“…PEMFC has different ranges of applications like small electric and electronic devices of low to moderate voltage rat, transportation, battery replacement and electric auxiliary systems of power generation.Currently there are many different fuel cell types with diverse design, structure, power capacity and industrial applications with wide range of operating temperature ranges [1][2][3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design and Investigation of Optimal Cooling System for Operative Performance of PEM Fuel Cell

Alshorman¹

2018

IJETED

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Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is thermochemical-electrical device for clean energy utilization as a practical renewable energy resource. Among several types of fuel cells PEMFC has compact size, wide applications, integrated structure and controlled operation conditions for realistic performance. PEMFC operates within temperature range of (25-80 o C) and slightly above, which need special cooling system to maintain harmless thermal operation of the cell. In this simulation study a functional cooling system for PEMFC is proposed, designed and investigated for best PEMFC performance and efficiency. This system is examined for energetic outcome of PEMFC using different materials, geometry, working fluids, operating conditions, and thermal properties of cooling fluids. The results reveals that greatest efficiency of cooling system of PEMFC is associated to higher flow rate and thermal properties of cooling fluid like specific heat (C p ) and convection heat transfer coefficient (h), in addition to thermal emissivity (ε), thermal conductivity (k). Furthermore, the best cooling system efficiency range was 60% to 80% when Argon was used, and 40% to 55% for water, while the least range was 17% to 22% when air was used as a cooling medium.

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Benefits of Membrane Electrode Assemblies with Asymmetrical GDL Configurations for PEM Fuel Cells

Cited by 17 publications

References 48 publications

The effects of the composition of microporous layers on the permeability of gas diffusion layers used in 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

Multiwall Carbon Nanotube-Based Microporous Layers for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Design and Investigation of Optimal Cooling System for Operative Performance of PEM Fuel Cell

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