Effect of Hydrophilic Treatment of Microporous Layer on Fuel Cell Performance

The gas diffusion layer in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell is the component primarily responsible for effective water management under a wide variety of conditions. The incorporation of hydrophilic alumosilicate fibers in the microporous layer leads to an improvement in the fuel cell performance ass...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mukundan, Rangachary, Davey, John, Fairweather, Joseph D., Spernjak, Dusan, Spendelow, Jacob S., Hussey, Daniel S., Jacobson, David, Wilde, Peter, Schweiss, Ruediger, Borup, Rodney L.
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Subjects:
30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION
CATALYSTS
DIFFUSION
FIBERS
FUEL CELLS
IMPEDANCE
MANAGEMENT
NEUTRON RADIOGRAPHY
PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELLS
TRANSPORT
WATER
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Summary:The gas diffusion layer in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell is the component primarily responsible for effective water management under a wide variety of conditions. The incorporation of hydrophilic alumosilicate fibers in the microporous layer leads to an improvement in the fuel cell performance associated with a decrease in the mass transport resistance especially under high RH operation. This improvement in performance is obtained without sacrificing performance under low RH conditions. The alumosilicate fibers create domains that wick liquid water away from the catalyst layer. The improved mass transport performance is corroborated by AC impedance and neutron radiography analysis and is consistent with an increase in the average pore diameter inside the microporous layer.
ISSN:1938-5862
1938-6737
DOI:10.1149/1.3484604