High-performance polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells with nanoporous carbon nanotube layer in low humidity condition

Kim, Jaeyeon; Kwon, Obeen; Yoo, Hongnyoung; Choi, Heesoo; Cha, Hyeonjin; Kim, Hyeok; Jeong, Seokhun; Shin, Myunggyu; Im, Dasom; Jeong, Youngjin; Park, Taehyun

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2022.231416

Cited by 19 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Our previous studies found that the nanoporous CNT sheet could increase the breakthrough pressure of the liquid. [21,35] However, in HT-PEMFCs, the PA can be stagnated within nanoporous CNT sheets because its viscosity is much higher than water. [36] As such, we hypothesized two points that would affect fuel cell performance: i) CNT insertion at the anode or cathode GDL|BP interfaces and ii) pore sizes with or without purification on CNT sheets.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improved Performance of High‐Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells by Purified CNT Nanoporous Sheets

Kwon,

Yang,

Kang

et al. 2023

Adv Funct Materials

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Given environmental friendliness, high‐temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT‐PEMFCs) can be the alternative power source for clean power generation. However, neither developments nor strategies of diffusion media are actively conducted yet to achieve high‐performance HT‐PEMFCs. Herein, a nanoporous carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet, a new anode diffusion layer between the gas diffusion layer|bipolar plate interface that improves fuel cell performance and durability by CNT purification for facilitating fuel accessibility with uniform interfacial contact for reducing acid loss, is reported. Configuration of the optimal CNT‐inserted fuel cell is examined and proposed under the operating temperature of 140–200 °C. The underlying mechanism of this new diffusion layer with multiphysics simulation elucidates that the nanoporous nature induces gas‐wall collision, enabling uniform dispersion within adjacent diffusion media. These fuel cells outperform performance over two times higher and have a voltage decay rate nearly two times lower than conventional HT‐PEMFC.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improved Performance of High‐Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells by Purified CNT Nanoporous Sheets

Kwon,

Yang,

Kang

et al. 2023

Adv Funct Materials

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“…Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can potentially outperform the traditional hydrophilic substance due to their high electrical conductivity. − It has been demonstrated that the porous CNT films significantly ameliorate water storage and contact resistance. − The assembling structure ,, of CNT films is associated closely with the performance of GDLs. Generally, the huge aspect ratio of single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) is prone to assemble a porous film with good water absorption, but the dense pores can result in low gas permeability. ,− While the multiwalled CNT (MWCNT) films with larger pores can accelerate gas diffusion. − However, due to the weaker van der Waals force between MWCNTs compared with SWCNTs, it is difficult to fabricate a continuous and robust MWCNT film. , Hence, it is necessary to design multifunctional GDL with CNT films capable of retaining water in dry conditions and efficiently transferring gas under high current density.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hierarchical Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Films Modified Gas Diffusion Layer for High-Performance Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Zhang,

Liu,

Song

et al. 2023

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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The functional gas diffusion layer (GDL), serving as a water−gas transfer control medium, significantly influences the performance of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). To improve simultaneously the water retention and gas transport rates, we present a straightforward and effective strategy to prepare carbon nanotube (CNT) hybrid films as functional interlayers in GDLs. With single-walled CNTs and multiwalled CNTs in the weight ratio of 1:1, the as-prepared GDL exhibits optimized electrochemical performance under all of the experimental cases. Especially, the current density is increased to 3.36 A cm −2 at 0.6 V under 26% relative humidity (RH) and 4.87 A cm −2 at 0.2 V under 100% RH. It is because the CNT hybrid films with hierarchical pore structures in GDLs are valid for enhancing both self-humidification and mass-transfer performance. The micropores with reasonable wettability serve as capillary vessels for absorbing water to promote the retention of moisture in the proton-exchange membrane, while the mesopores provide preferential transport pathways for reaction gas. Our results demonstrate that the CNTbased GDL may illuminate the potential application of PEMFCs.

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“…[40,41] Another method is to prepare double-layer GDLs with standalone MPLs which is not directly coated onto a GDB but prepared independently represented by carbon black sheets and carbon nanotube sheets. [42][43][44] The above GDLs can improve the fuel-cell performance by enhancing the water management and mass transfer. However, these reports did not show that there was a particularly huge breakthrough in the development of fuel cells, especially in the aspects of recyclability and sustainability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Recyclable Standalone Microporous Layer with Interpenetrating Network for Sustainable Fuel Cells

Wen

et al. 2023

Advanced Materials

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The commercialization of fuel cells inevitably brings recycling problems. Therefore, achieving high recyclability of fuel cells is particularly important for their sustainable development. In this work, a recyclable standalone microporous layer (standalone MPL) with interpenetrating network that can significantly enhance the recyclability and sustainability of fuel cells is prepared. The interpenetrating network enables the standalone MPL to have high strength (17.7 MPa), gas permeability (1.55 × 10−13 m2), and fuel‐cell performance (peak power density 1.35 W cm−2), providing the basic guarantee for its application in high‐performance and highly recyclable fuel cells. Additionally, the standalone MPL is highly adaptable to various gas‐diffusion backings (GDBs), providing high possibility to select highly recyclable GDBs. Outstandingly, anode standalone MPLs and GDBs can be easily detached from the spent membrane electrode assembly (MEA). This not only saves >90 vol% solvent in the recovery of the catalyst‐coated membrane (CCM), but also extends the service life of the GDBs and the anode standalone MPL at least 138 times (2 760 000 h assuming 20 000 h of CCM) comparing to CCM. Therefore, the standalone MPL significantly enhances the recyclability and sustainability of fuel cells and is promising to be an indispensable component in the next‐generation fuel cells.

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High-performance polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells with nanoporous carbon nanotube layer in low humidity condition

Cited by 19 publications

References 53 publications

Improved Performance of High‐Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells by Purified CNT Nanoporous Sheets

Improved Performance of High‐Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells by Purified CNT Nanoporous Sheets

Hierarchical Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Films Modified Gas Diffusion Layer for High-Performance Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

A Recyclable Standalone Microporous Layer with Interpenetrating Network for Sustainable Fuel Cells

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