Experimental investigation of the role of a microporous layer on the water transport and performance of a PEM fuel cell

Atiyeh, Hasan K.; Karan, Kunal; Peppley, Brant A.; Phoenix, Aaron V.; Halliop, Ela; Pharoah, Jon G.

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2007.04.016

Cited by 184 publications

(112 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…For practical uses of PEFC, water flooding at high current density conditions is one of the major issues to be improved, because flooding deteriorates efficiency and maximum power output due to limiting the supply of reactants to the reaction area by the water accumulated in the cell. It is generally known that a micro-porous layer (MPL) contributes to better water removal from the cathode catalyst layer (CL) and to improvements in the cell performance [1][2][3][4]. The MPL introduces a -2 -fine carbon layer between the CL and gas diffusion layer (GDL), and has smaller pore sizes than the GDL.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of micro-porous layer on liquid water distribution at the catalyst layer interface and cell performance in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

Tabe

Aoyama

Kadowaki

et al. 2015

Journal of Power Sources

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In polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, a gas diffusion layer (GDL) with a micro-porous layer (MPL) gives better anti-flooding performance than GDLs without an MPL. To investigate the function and mechanism of the MPL to suppress water flooding, the liquid water distribution at the cathode catalyst layer (CL) surface are observed by a freezing method; in the method liquid water is immobilized in ice form by rapid freezing, followed by disassembling the cell for observations. The ice covered area is quantified by image processing and cells with and without an MPL are compared. The results show that the MPL suppresses water accumulation at the interface due to smaller pore size and finer contact with the CL, and this results in less water flooding. Investigation of ice formed after −10 °C cold start shutdowns and the temporary performance deterioration at ordinary temperatures also indicates a significant influence of the liquid water accumulating at the interface. The importance of the fine contact between CL and MPL, the relative absence of gaps, is demonstrated by a gas diffusion electrode (GDE) which is directly coated with catalyst ink on the surface of the MPL achieving finer contact of the layers. Highlights• Liquid water distribution at the cathode catalyst layer (CL) surface is observed.• Performance deteriorates due to the liquid water accumulated on the CL surface.• The MPL reduces liquid water accumulation between the CL and the MPL.• Cold startup induces much water accumulation and temporary performance deterioration.• A gas diffusion electrode with fine CL to MPL contact mitigates the flooding.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of micro-porous layer on liquid water distribution at the catalyst layer interface and cell performance in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

Tabe

Aoyama

Kadowaki

et al. 2015

Journal of Power Sources

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“…Past studies have shown that the properties of both the GDL substrate and MPL play a significant role in water balance and performance of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells [1][2][3][4][5][6]. In these studies of GDLs, the impact of GDL materials and design on PEM fuel cell performance losses, rather than durability, has been the focal point.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In situ accelerated degradation of gas diffusion layer in proton exchange membrane fuel cellPart I: Effect of elevated temperature and flow rate

Martin

Orfino

et al. 2010

Journal of Power Sources

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This article appeared in a journal published by Elsevier. The attached copy is furnished to the author for internal non-commercial research and education use, including for instruction at the authors institution and sharing with colleagues.Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited. Past studies have shown that both the substrate and microporous layer of the gas diffusion layer (GDL) significantly affect water balance and performance of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. However, little effort has been made to investigate the importance of GDL properties on the durability of PEM fuel cells. In this study, the in situ degradation behaviour of a commercial GDL carbon fiber paper with MPL was investigated under a combination of elevated temperature and elevated flow rate conditions. To avoid the possible impact of the catalyst layer during degradation test, different barriers without catalyst were utilized individually to isolate the anode and cathode GDLs. Three different barriers were evaluated on their ability to isolate GDL degradation and their similarity to a fuel cell environment, and finally a novel Nafion/MPL/polyimide barrier was chosen. Characterization of the degraded GDL samples was conducted through the use of various diagnostic methods, including through-plane electrical resistivity measurements, mercury porosimetry, relative humidity sensitivity, and single-cell performance curves. Noticeable decreases in electrical resistivity and the hydrophobic properties were detected for the degraded GDL samples. The experimental results suggested that material loss plays an important role in GDL degradation mechanisms, while excessive mechanical stress prior to degradation weakens the GDL structure and changes its physical property, which consequently accelerates the material loss of the GDL during aging. Crown

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“…Previous work with the GDL has focused on hydrophobic treatments with Teflon and adding an MPL to minimize water intrusion into the GDL [7,13,15,17,[27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34]. The work of Kimball et al [37] coupled with the GDL characterization presented here show that the flow of water from the catalyst layer through the GDL is a component of the fuel cell design.…”

Section: Implications For Fuel Cell Designmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…A common focus is adding Teflon to the carbon fiber GDL materials to limit flooding [13,15,17,[27][28][29]. Other researchers have also considered the potential to control GDL saturation using a hydrophobic microporous layer (MPL) between the catalyst layer and the GDL [7,[30][31][32][33][34].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Water Flow in, Through, and Around the Gas Diffusion Layer

et al. 2012

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Liquid water produced in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells is transported from the cathode catalyst/membrane interface through the gas diffusion layer (GDL) to the gas flow channel. Liquid water travels both laterally (in the plane of GDL) and transversely through the largest pores of the porous GDL structure. Narrow apertures in the largest pores are the primary resistance to liquid water penetration. Carbon paper has limiting apertures ∼20 μm in diameter and ∼1 μm in length whereas carbon cloth has apertures ∼100 μm in diameter and ∼200 μm in length. After sufficient hydrostatic pressure is applied, water penetrates the limiting aperture and flows through the pore. The pressure required for water to flow through the pores is less than the pressure to penetrate the limiting aperture of the pores. Water moved laterally and directed through a small number of transverse pores. There is less resistance to lateral liquid water flow at the interface between the GDL and a solid surface than through the GDL. The results from these experiments suggest that water flow through the GDL is dominated by a small number of pores and most pores remain free of liquid water.

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Experimental investigation of the role of a microporous layer on the water transport and performance of a PEM fuel cell

Cited by 184 publications

References 33 publications

Impact of micro-porous layer on liquid water distribution at the catalyst layer interface and cell performance in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

Impact of micro-porous layer on liquid water distribution at the catalyst layer interface and cell performance in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

In situ accelerated degradation of gas diffusion layer in proton exchange membrane fuel cellPart I: Effect of elevated temperature and flow rate

Water Flow in, Through, and Around the Gas Diffusion Layer

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