Gas Diffusion Layer
A key performance limitation in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), is the mass transport loss, originates from liquid water transport and resulting flooding phenomena in the constituent components. The cathode gas diffusion layer (GDL) is a primary contributor to mass transport loss owing to the blockage of available pore space by liquid water thereby rendering hindered oxygen transport to the active reaction sites in the electrode. The GDL, typically a fibrous non-woven carbon paper or a woven carbon cloth, thus plays an important role in the water management of a PEMFC.
The properties of the conventional GDL’s can be improved by implementing microporous layer over porous support layer. Microporous layer (MPL) reduces the contact resistance between catalyst layer and macroporous substrate. The purpose of using MPL also enhanced the water management, as they provide effective repelling of water from the cathode catalyst layer into the diffusion media, thus improving the overall performance of the PEMFC.
The properties of the conventional GDL’s can be improved by implementing microporous layer over porous support layer. Microporous layer (MPL) reduces the contact resistance between catalyst layer and macroporous substrate. The purpose of using MPL also enhanced the water management, as they provide effective repelling of water from the cathode catalyst layer into the diffusion media, thus improving the overall performance of the PEMFC.
1. “Gas-diffusion-layer structural properties under compression via X-ray tomography”, Iryna V. Zenyuk, Dilworth Y. Parkinson, Liam G. Connolly, Adam Z. Webe, Journal of Power Sources 328(2016)364.
2. "Pore-scale modeling of two-phase transport in polymer electrolyte fuel cells—progress and perspective", Partha P. Mukherjee, Qinjun Kang and Chao-Yang Wang, Energy Environ. Sci., 4(2011)346.
3. "Lattice Boltzmann simulations of anisotropic permeabilities in carbon paper gas diffusion layers", Liang Hao, Ping Cheng, Journal of Power Sources 186 (2009) 104.
4. "Numerical Determination of Two-Phase Material Parameters of a Gas Diffusion Layer Using Tomography Images", Jürgen Becker, Volker Schulz and Andreas Wiegmann, J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol 5(2008)021006.
5. “Impact of GDL structure and wettability on water management in polymer electrolyte fuel cells”, Puneet, K. Sinha, Partha P. Mukherjee and Chao-Yang Wang, Journal of Materials Chemistry 17(2007)30.
6. "Micro-porous layer with composite carbon black for PEM fuel cells", X.L. Wang, H.M. Zhang, J.L. Zhang, H.F. Xu, Z.Q. Tian, J. Chen, H.X. Zhong, Y.M. Liang, B.L. Yi, Electrochimica Acta 51 (2006)4909.
7. "Effect of carbon loading in microporous layer on PEM fuel cell performance", Sehkyu Park, Jong-Won Lee, Branko N. Popov, Journal of Power Sources 163 (2006) 357.
2. "Pore-scale modeling of two-phase transport in polymer electrolyte fuel cells—progress and perspective", Partha P. Mukherjee, Qinjun Kang and Chao-Yang Wang, Energy Environ. Sci., 4(2011)346.
3. "Lattice Boltzmann simulations of anisotropic permeabilities in carbon paper gas diffusion layers", Liang Hao, Ping Cheng, Journal of Power Sources 186 (2009) 104.
4. "Numerical Determination of Two-Phase Material Parameters of a Gas Diffusion Layer Using Tomography Images", Jürgen Becker, Volker Schulz and Andreas Wiegmann, J. Fuel Cell Sci. Technol 5(2008)021006.
5. “Impact of GDL structure and wettability on water management in polymer electrolyte fuel cells”, Puneet, K. Sinha, Partha P. Mukherjee and Chao-Yang Wang, Journal of Materials Chemistry 17(2007)30.
6. "Micro-porous layer with composite carbon black for PEM fuel cells", X.L. Wang, H.M. Zhang, J.L. Zhang, H.F. Xu, Z.Q. Tian, J. Chen, H.X. Zhong, Y.M. Liang, B.L. Yi, Electrochimica Acta 51 (2006)4909.
7. "Effect of carbon loading in microporous layer on PEM fuel cell performance", Sehkyu Park, Jong-Won Lee, Branko N. Popov, Journal of Power Sources 163 (2006) 357.