Properties and Performance of Gas Diffusion Layer PEMFC Derived from Coconut Coir

Abstract

In this work, carbon composite papers (CCP) were successfully produced by mixing 80 wt% carbon derived from coconut coir and 20 wt% binder (ethylene vinyl acetate and polyethylene glycol). The CCPs were prepared with two different forms of carbon material, i.e. powder (particle size: ± 74 µm) and fiber (length: ± 2 mm, diameter: 100-500 µm). Two types of papers were developed based on their composition. The first type, called CCP-1, was made from carbon in powder form (80 wt%), while the second one, CCP-2, was based on a combination of fiber (70 wt%) and powder (10 wt%). The influence of the carbon form on CCP properties were investigated, including electrical conductivity, porosity, hydrophobicity, microstructure, and its performance as a gas diffusion layer (GDL) in a stack of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system. Based on the results, CCP-1 showed a slightly better fuel cell performance than CCP-2, which was also confirmed by its lower porosity, electrical conductivity, and water contact angle. The effect of carbon composite paper's properties, including its morphology and performance, are disscused in this paper in detail and compared with a commercially based GDL material (TGP-H-120).

Reduced graphene oxide–coated anode gas diffusion layer for performance enhancement of proton‐exchange membrane fuel cell

“…The cathode GDL is usually coated with a hydrophobic material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), in order to remove water from the fuel cell . Hydrophobicity is widely accepted as the key to water management in PEMFCs, and numerous relevant investigations have been carried out on the hydrophobicity of microporous layers (MPLs) …”

“…3,4 Hydrophobicity is widely accepted as the key to water management in PEMFCs, and numerous relevant investigations have been carried out on the hydrophobicity of microporous layers (MPLs). [5][6][7] MEA typically uses solid polymer electrolyte membranes and has high proton conductivity in conditions of high humidity and low temperatures (T < 80°C) during the operation of the PEMFC. 8,9 At high temperature, humidity in the membrane decreases, resulting in loss of conductivity.…”

Alternative architectures and materials for PEMFC gas diffusion layers: A review and outlook

“…Other research groups have attempted to reduce the cost of the MPS by fabricating them from more sustainable materials, such as cellulose [49,50], bamboo [51,52], coconut fibres [53,54], and other biomass-derived carbons. For example, Destyorini et al [53] fabricated an MPS using activated carbon powder and carbon fibre derived from coconut coir, mixed with an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) as a binder, polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a dispersant, and PTFE as the hydrophobic agent. SEM micrographs of the cross-sections of the GDL substrates are shown in Fig.…”

A review of gas diffusion layer properties and water management in proton exchange membrane fuel cell system

“…Other researchers have used several techniques to research and explain PEMFC failures and associated modes. 145,158 Sanchez et al 46 experimented with a segmented cell under intense dehydration situation. A drying-front form that propagated through the membrane was discovered when dry feeding gases were utilized in both cathode and anode electrodes.…”