Electrochemically Produced Graphene for Microporous Layers in Fuel Cells

Najafabadi, Amin Taheri; Leeuwner, M. Jeanette; Wilkinson, David P.; Gyenge, Előd L.

doi:10.1002/cssc.201600351

Cited by 50 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Future developments of the MPL should consider the possibility of adopting graphene nanoplatelets and carbon black mixtures [30], in order to enhance the mechanical integrity of the component under harsh conditions, as those of the AST proposed, and maintain beneficial features as the presence of micropores and a superhydrophobic character. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the con- trary, the MPL-G has a lower water permeability that could be responsible for a ''sealing'' effect: the GDMs promote water retention close to the MEA that leads to back diffusion, thus limiting the dehydration of the electrolyte [44]. In this case, an excessive humidity leads to a fast accumulation of water in the GDM, which is confirmed by the quick increase of the mass transfer losses at relatively low current densities at 60°C and flows relative humidity of 100% [30,45,46].…”

Section: Electrical Performances Analysesmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…In addition, two different MPLs ink compositions are adopted in order to more easily identify which features are responsible for a possible improvement of the durability of this component. Indeed, a traditional carbon black (CB) based ink and a novel graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) based composition have been exploited [29][30][31][32]. From an economic standpoint, the use of either one of the two phases is not detrimental since they feature similar costs [33].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of Graphene Nanoplatelets as a Microporous Layer Material for PEMFC: Performance and Durability Analysis

et al. 2019

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In this paper, the effect of different carbonaceous phases in microporous layers (MPLs) for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is reported. A conventional ink with carbon black (CB) powder and an innovative one featuring graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) have been produced and used to coat carbon cloth gas diffusion layers (GDLs). Morphological and electrical properties of these samples have been assessed and then compared to determine which characteristics contribute to a possible enhancement of the fuel cell performance. Static contact angle measurements have revealed a similar hydrophobic character for both samples. Through-plane water permeability and porosity of the samples have been correlated to the optimal working tempera-ture: GNPs-based MPLs provide the best performance in dry condition (T = 80°C, RH = 60%), while CB-based samples work better in more humid conditions. Instead, the electrical conductivity of the samples have not displayed a strong influence on the polarization curve of the cell. In addition, an ex situ mechanical accelerated stress test (AST) has been performed on both samples to assess their durability and understand which factors could lengthen their lifetime. GNPsbased samples resisted better under the harsh conditions imposed during the AST and a possible optimization of this ink composition is proposed for future development.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Electrical Performances Analysesmentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of Graphene Nanoplatelets as a Microporous Layer Material for PEMFC: Performance and Durability Analysis

et al. 2019

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“…Indeed, it has been largely proved that using GDLs drives to a remarkable improvement of device performances .The GDL typically consists of a macroporous substrate (MPS) made of carbon cloth or carbon paper and a thin coating, termed microporous layer (MPL), deposited onto the former. MPL is usually prepared starting from an ink based on carbon nanoparticles mixed with a hydrophobic polymeric agent . The hydrophobizing treatment of GDLs with appropriate low surface energy agents allows the removal of water produced by the fuel cell , , .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Innovative Perfluoropolyether‐Functionalized Gas Diffusion Layers with Enhanced Performance in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

et al. 2020

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In this work, perfluoropolyether (PFPE) functionalization was used as hydrophizing treatment for gas diffusion layers (GDLs) in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), instead of standard PTFE coatings, aiming to enhance the hydrophobicity of the gas diffusion media and to reduce the mass transfer limitations in the final device. Carbon cloth diffusion layers and carbon black were functionalized by decomposition of a PFPE peroxide. PFPE-functionalized carbon black was employed in the preparation of an ink suitable for obtaining microporous layers (MPLs) by deposition onto macroporous backing layers. Dual-layer gas diffusion media showing superhydrophobic behavior due to different hydrophobizing treatments were compared with conventional PTFE-based materials, by testing in a single PEMFC working at two different temperatures and at low and high relative humidity conditions. Such tests demonstrated improved performances over conventional GDLs for pure PFPE-based samples in terms of both overall electrical performance and reduced diffusive limitations in high current density conditions. The maximum output power achieved with the novel PFPE-based compounds was 460 mW cm -2 at 80°C and relative humidity (RH) 100% while the best improvement (10%) with respect to conventional GDLs was realized at 80°C and RH 60%.

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“…Extensive work over the years on MPL research include studying the effects of various types of carbon , different degrees of hydrophobicity , introduction of pore formers and the thickness of MPLs , . Comparative work on different types of carbon blacks (CBs) have reported key relationships between the carbon porosity and the overall PEMFC performance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Carbon Porosity on the Performance of Cathode Microporous Layers in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

et al. 2020

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Acetylene black carbons were activated under flowing CO 2 atmosphere at 900°C for different treatment times. The impact of this heat treatment on the porosity, hydrophilicity, and surface oxygen groups was carefully examined. Longer periods of activation led to increases in the surface area and porosity of the samples. Pore size distributions of the samples showed an increase in micropores, followed by a rise in mesopores, which indicated the occurrence of pore widening with a longer activation period. When used as a microporous layer for H 2 /air fuel cells, samples with higher levels of porosity showed, in general, reduced mass transport performance due to the formation of pooling locations for water. These results highlight the importance of textural pores in carbon structures on the water management in hydrogen fuel cell when operating under high humidity conditions.

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Electrochemically Produced Graphene for Microporous Layers in Fuel Cells

Cited by 50 publications

References 46 publications

Evaluation of Graphene Nanoplatelets as a Microporous Layer Material for PEMFC: Performance and Durability Analysis

Evaluation of Graphene Nanoplatelets as a Microporous Layer Material for PEMFC: Performance and Durability Analysis

Innovative Perfluoropolyether‐Functionalized Gas Diffusion Layers with Enhanced Performance in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Impact of Carbon Porosity on the Performance of Cathode Microporous Layers in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

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