Mitigation of Water Management in PEM Fuel Cell Cathodes by Hydrophilic Wicking Microporous Layers

Schweiss, Ruediger; Steeb, Marcus; Wilde, Peter

doi:10.1002/fuce.201000003

Cited by 73 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Both R ct and R m decline (Figures 8 and 9). However, a further increase in the liquid volume will hinder the oxygen transport [13,27], and increase R ct and R m .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Influence of the Interaction Between Phosphoric Acid and Catalyst Layers on the Properties of HT‐PEFCs

Liu

Mohajeri

et al. 2014

Fuel Cells

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The performance of high‐temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells is influenced by the components in the cell. In order to determine the effects of the platinum loading and the thickness of the anode and the cathode as well as of the phosphoric acid content on the cell performance, a three‐level factorial plan encompassing 15 experimental points was designed and carried out. The experimental results were analyzed statistically and expressed as graphic cubes in the range studied. It was found that each factor and their interactions have strong effects on the cell performance. The interactions are attributed to the distribution of phosphoric acid and gases in the membrane electrode assembly. The water vapor transport influences the concentration of phosphoric acid, which modifies not only the proton conductivity but also the cathode kinetics. The optimized cell performance was obtained with an acid amount of 20 mg cm–2, a cathode thickness of 125 μm (platinum loading of 1.0 mg cm–2), and an anode thickness of 75 μm (platinum loading of 0.6 mg cm–2).

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“…Both R ct and R m decline (Figures 8 and 9). However, a further increase in the liquid volume will hinder the oxygen transport [13,27], and increase R ct and R m .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Influence of the Interaction Between Phosphoric Acid and Catalyst Layers on the Properties of HT‐PEFCs

Liu

Mohajeri

et al. 2014

Fuel Cells

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“…Further improvement of the GDL water management capability has been addressed by GDL/MPL modifications such as perforation [11,12], pore size adjustment [13], addition of pore formers [14], porosity gradients in the MPLs [15] or hydrophilic microfibres [16,17]. These approaches, however, add complexity in terms of manufacturing or might be generated at the expense of electronic conductivity or fuel cell durability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Enhancement of proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance by doping microporous layers of gas diffusion layers with multiwall carbon nanotubes

Schweiss

Steeb

Wilde

et al. 2012

Journal of Power Sources

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“…Deconvolution was completed using the Bragg-Brentano measurements on the broad amorphous peak centered about [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] • and the sharp crystalline peak centered at about 17.5…”

Section: F140mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…z E-mail: cptvn@ku.edu et al found that a MPL was also able to improve catalyst utilization and reduce flooding on the cathode GDL. [11][12][13][14] The high PTFE content in the MPL prevented water from reaching and collecting in the cathode GDL, as well as increased back transport of water across the membrane toward the anode. The back transport of water reduced the need to humidify the hydrogen feed to maintain proper hydration of the anode side of the membrane.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Engineering the Ionic Polymer Phase Surface Properties of a PEM Fuel Cell Catalyst Layer

Dowd

Day

Nguyen

2016

J. Electrochem. Soc.

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During high power density operations, the performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) may be limited by high water saturation levels in the cathode catalyst layer due to high wettability of the ionic polymer phase. A new heat-treatment method was used to create and lock-in the surface structure of Nafion 212. Several surface characterization techniques were used to verify the membrane's surface after heat-treatment, including contact angle, atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We found that specific heat-treatment conditions led to the formation of either a hydrophobic or hydrophilic surface. The modified membrane's surface remained intact even after the membranes were boiled in water for 1 h. Next, a 4-point conductivity technique was used to verify that the heat-treatment conditions which led to a hydrophobic surface did not negatively impact the membrane's internal conductivity. Finally, this novel heat-treatment method was applied to the cathode catalyst layer of a H 2 -Air PEMFC to create a hydrophobic polymer-gas interface inside the gas pores of the cathode catalyst layer. Preliminary results showed 33% increase in peak power. The results of this research will guide the design of a new class of PEMFC catalyst layers. PEMFCs offer the advantages of high power density and energy conversion efficiency, simplicity in design and operation, the added environmental benefits such as zero carbon emissions, and the production of benign by-products such as water when using the H 2 -O 2 /(Air) fuel cell.1,2 Additionally, reversible fuel cells (flow batteries) offer a viable solution to the highly desired need for economical grid energy storage in order to take full advantage of load leveling. [3][4][5] As the use of intermittent energy sources such as wind and solar power continue to rise throughout the world, the need for reliable, efficient and economical energy storage solutions will grow. Excessive liquid water buildup in the fuel cell catalyst layer (CL) at high current densities can lead to electrode flooding, thus restricting transport of gaseous reactants to the catalyst reaction sites. In order to realize the economic viability of fuel cells, the fuel cell CL needs to be redesigned to overcome the negative hydration effects common with PEMFCs.Water management in a PEMFC is important for peak performance and long lifetime.6 A large amount of research has been generated to minimize the impact of water production in the PEMFC catalyst layer. One of the first areas of exploration to improve water management pertains to membranes. Critical membrane parameters include ionic conductivity, water and gas permeability, and mechanical strength. Di Vona and Iwai et al. demonstrated how cross-linking polymers greatly stabilizes the polymer in terms of thermal, mechanical, and hydrolytic degradation. 7,8 Pintauro et al. demonstrated reduced swelling and increased strength by electrospinning nanofiber composite membranes together.9 By melting an inert polymer ...

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Mitigation of Water Management in PEM Fuel Cell Cathodes by Hydrophilic Wicking Microporous Layers

Cited by 73 publications

References 25 publications

Influence of the Interaction Between Phosphoric Acid and Catalyst Layers on the Properties of HT‐PEFCs

Influence of the Interaction Between Phosphoric Acid and Catalyst Layers on the Properties of HT‐PEFCs

Enhancement of proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance by doping microporous layers of gas diffusion layers with multiwall carbon nanotubes

Engineering the Ionic Polymer Phase Surface Properties of a PEM Fuel Cell Catalyst Layer

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