Effect of Gas Diffusion Layer Characteristics and Addition of Pore-Forming Agents on the Performance of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Şengül, Erce; Erkan, Serdar; Eroğlu, İnc[idot]; Baç, Nurcan

doi:10.1080/00986440802293130

Cited by 21 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The GDL has four main roles. It must conduct electrons to the catalyst layer, 82,84 be mechanically stable, 85 supply reactant feed to the catalyst, 78,82 and maintain the three-phase boundary by keeping water at the catalyst layer to prevent flooding. 78,82 The GDE is ineffective if any of these conditions are not met.…”

Section: ■ the Gas Diffusion Layermentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimizing the Electrochemical Reduction of CO₂ to Formate: A State-of-the-Art Analysis

Philips

Gruter

Koper

et al. 2020

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to formate is an appealing carbon utilization method as it can be performed at room temperature and pressure, it only requires two electrons, and it has a high atom efficiency. This reaction has been known and studied for decades, but currently there is no commercial process practiced. This Perspective compares over 500 experimental data points from 65 scientific publications and patents and identifies the gas diffusion electrode as the best technology to scale this reaction. We further discuss the complex layers that make up a gas diffusion electrode and view what has been studied with respect to this reaction. Finally, we identify critical areas where more research can provide crucial understandings to allow this technology to become a commercial process.

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Section: ■ the Gas Diffusion Layermentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimizing the Electrochemical Reduction of CO₂ to Formate: A State-of-the-Art Analysis

Philips

Gruter

Koper

et al. 2020

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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“…The use of wet-proofed single and, especially, bilayer GDM has resulted in significantly improved fuel-cell performance. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] GDM are currently wet-proofed by physical coating of the media substrate with either PTFE or FEP. The physical coating process is discussed in detail in the literature [7][8][9][10] and can be summarized as * Electrochemical Society Fellow.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Hydrophobic Gas-Diffusion Media for Polymer-Electrolyte Fuel Cells by Direct Fluorination

Nguyen

Ahosseini

Wang

et al. 2015

J. Electrochem. Soc.

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A polymer-electrolyte fuel cell depends on proper water management to obtain high performance. During operation, liquid water is generated in the cell. When it is not properly and adequately removed, accumulation leads to poor fuel-cell performance by reducing and blocking the gas pores in the catalyst and gas-diffusion media. To address this problem, gas-diffusion media are often coated with a wet-proofing agent. This approach results in reduced pore size and volume resulting in lower transport properties, as well as inducing durability and performance issues due to the inherent non-uniformity. To overcome these issues, an alternative wet-proofing process called direct fluorination was developed. In this approach, fluorine gas reacts with carbon to create a more uniform, durable, and consistent wet-proof surface without affecting the morphology of the media. The fluorinated media showed capillary pressure properties that are more suitable for fuel-cell application. Fuel cells with fluorinated materials in the cathodes showed better performance, lower ohmic resistance, and lower liquid water amount in the cathode. These advantages are attributed to having a better wet-proofed fluorinated media at the cathode that forces water back to the anode, thereby keeping the membrane more hydrated and reducing the amount of water in and transported out of the cathode. A proton-exchange-membrane (PEM) fuel cell depends on proper water management to obtain high power density and energy efficiency. During operation, liquid water is generated in the fuel cell at the cathode due to oxygen reduction, and may also exist at the anode due to transport through the membrane or condensation. When it is not properly and adequately removed, this liquid-water accumulation leads to poor fuel-cell performance by blocking the gas pores in the catalyst and gas-diffusion media (GDM) and forming an additional transport barrier over the reactive area. To address this problem, GDM, such as non-woven carbon papers or woven carbon cloths, used in PEM fuel cell electrodes are treated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene (FEP) to wet-proof the substrate surface. Wet-proofed surface in the GDM repels liquid water and provides pathways for gaseous reactant transport.1-4 Furthermore, when bilayer GDM that have a dense and hydrophobic microporous layer (MPL) supported by a macroporous layer are used in a PEM fuel cell, it is believed that lower liquid-water-saturation levels in the cathode are achieved because the dense and highly hydrophobic MPL 1) reduces the liquid-water saturation level at the catalyst layer/MPL interface thus enabling gas access from the GDM to the catalyst layer, 2) reduces the amount and locations of liquid water that can be transported from the catalyst layer into the macroporous support layer, and 3) forces a significant amount of liquid water in the cathode across the membrane back to the anode, thereby helping to make the anode side of the membrane more hydrated. [5][6] In addition to...

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“…The performance of MEA with different characteristics of gas diffusion layers was studied at 70℃. It was found that the maximum power density of 0.36 W at 0.6 V for MEA having minimum thickness [63]. A minor performance decrease was found after 50 000 potential scanning cycles.…”

Section: Electrode Components In Pemfcmentioning

confidence: 94%

Review of materials, functional components, fabrication technologies and assembling characteristics for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) – An update

DAYA,

SAMSON NESARAJ

2023

J Met Mater Miner

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Fuel cells use electrochemical processes to transform the chemical energy of a fuel into electrical energy, which is a key enabler for the shift to an H2-based economy. Because of their high energy conversion efficiency and low pollution emissions, fuel cells with polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMFCs) are regarded as being in frontline of commercialization for the transportation and automotive industries. However, there are two major hurdles to their future commercialization: cost and durability, which promote basic study and development of their components. In this article, we reviewed the materials, functional components, fabrication technologies and assembling characteristics related to PEMFCs. Platinum's significance as a catalyst in PEMFC applications stems from the fact that it beats all other catalysts in three critical parts: stability, selectivity, and activity. In order to create Pt rich surfaces of NPs, Pt metal is alloyed with d-block metals like Cu, Ni, Fe, and Co. PEMFC development is inextricably tied to the benefits and drawbacks of the Nafion membrane under various operating circumstances. Nafion membrane has some drawbacks, including poor performance at high temperatures (over 90℃), low conductivity under low humidification, and high cost. As a result, a variety of nanoscale additives are frequently added to Nafion nanocomposites to enhance the material's properties under fuel cell working conditions. Fiber composite based bipolar plates can deliver best performance. The assembly of PEMFC based on strap approach is being explored. The applications of PEMFC are also projected.

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Effect of Gas Diffusion Layer Characteristics and Addition of Pore-Forming Agents on the Performance of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Cited by 21 publications

References 9 publications

Optimizing the Electrochemical Reduction of CO₂ to Formate: A State-of-the-Art Analysis

Optimizing the Electrochemical Reduction of CO₂ to Formate: A State-of-the-Art Analysis

Hydrophobic Gas-Diffusion Media for Polymer-Electrolyte Fuel Cells by Direct Fluorination

Review of materials, functional components, fabrication technologies and assembling characteristics for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) – An update

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Effect of Gas Diffusion Layer Characteristics and Addition of Pore-Forming Agents on the Performance of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Cited by 21 publications

References 9 publications

Optimizing the Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to Formate: A State-of-the-Art Analysis

Optimizing the Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to Formate: A State-of-the-Art Analysis

Hydrophobic Gas-Diffusion Media for Polymer-Electrolyte Fuel Cells by Direct Fluorination

Review of materials, functional components, fabrication technologies and assembling characteristics for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) – An update

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Product

Resources

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Optimizing the Electrochemical Reduction of CO₂ to Formate: A State-of-the-Art Analysis

Optimizing the Electrochemical Reduction of CO₂ to Formate: A State-of-the-Art Analysis