Configuring the Porosity and Microstructure of Carbon Paper Electrode Using Pore Formers and Its Influence on the Performance of PEMFC

Abstract

Carbon papers (CPs) are used as an electrode backing in PEMFC. It assists the diffusion of both the reactant gases and products toward and from the reaction site and aids the flow of electrons. CP is a carbon/carbon composite made by patterning of carbon fibers in the form of highly porous sheets called preforms, followed by composite formation. Different pore formers have been incorporated into the CP, and their effect on porosity, permeability, structure, and electrical conductivity have been analyzed and found to be significant. The unit PEMFC shows a peak output power density of 797.2 and 756.8 mW/cm 2 with camphor and urea as pore formers, compared to 576.2 mW/cm 2 obtained using the paper prepared without pore former. The effect of pore formers on the separate sections of the polarization curves has been discussed. Further, samples with urea and camphor show comparable performance with the commercial SGL paper.

Chemically Oxidized Carbon Paper as a Free‐Standing Electrode for Supercapacitor: An Insight into Surface and Diffusion Contribution

“…[12] The polymer binder increases the electrical resistance of the electrode and may also blocks some of the pores thus adversely affecting the capacitance. [13,14] Carbon paper (CP), a carbon fiber-based C/C composite can act as free-standing electrode material and has adequate strength, toughness, and flexibility, [15] such that it can be used as such without any support. This may further help in reducing the cost of device assembly.…”

Materials, components, assembly and performance of flexible polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell: A review

“…Fuel cell [14][15][16], an energy conversion device, could directly convert the chemical energy into electricity. It shows a variety of advantages, e.g., high energy density, high energy conversion efficiency, sustainability, low pollution emission, and without the necessity of charging.…”

Pore-Scale Modeling of Mass Transport in Partially Saturated Cathode Gas Diffusion Layers of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

“…In the transformation of the global energy structure to clean, low carbon, and environmentally friendly, the zero-emission, nonpolluting, high-power, long-range proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has received extra attention of many companies and countries. PEMFCs are even considered the ultimate solution for transportation and distributed power plants. , PEMFCs convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy by means of the electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The main factor limiting the efficiency of a PEMFC is the difficulty of maintaining the water balance and thermal equilibrium. , In general, too little liquid water cannot keep the proton exchange membrane in good wetting conditions and thus increases the mass transfer resistance.…”

“…PEMFCs are even considered the ultimate solution for transportation and distributed power plants. 1,2 PEMFCs convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy by means of the electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. The main factor limiting the efficiency of a PEMFC is the difficulty of maintaining the water balance and thermal equilibrium.…”