Effect of Various Hydrophobic Concentrations and Base Weights of Gas Diffusion Layer for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Abstract

This study investigates the gas permeability, conductivity and performance of two types of gas diffusion layer (90 g m–2 and 190 g m–2) with various hydrophobic treatments. The performance is measured using a single proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) with an active area of 25 cm2. The results prove that 90 g m–2 carbon paper has the best current density in 5% hydrophobic concentration. The polarisation curves of fuel cell were plotted by similar operating conditions with different micro‐porous layers (MPLs) on carbon papers surface. These results provide a wide choice of hydrophobic agents. These results concerning the balance between base weights and performance provide important information for the fabrication of stacks and support for industrial applications.