Effects of Design Parameters in Paper Type GDL on PEFC Performance (Effects of Hydrophobic Treatment, Micro Porous Layer and Specific Density on Performance)

Abstract

Effects of design parameters in paper type GDL (Gas Diffusion Layer) are analyzed by experiments, which are hydrophobic treatment by PTFE, MPL (Micro Porous Layer) and carbon matrix density. Results show that hydrophobic treatment with 5% PTFE decreases concentration overpotential, but with 20% PTFE increases it at higher current density region. MPL makes concentration overpotential lower at higher current density region, in spite of the lower Gurley number by 1/80. Moreover, MPL decreases IR overpotential by improving electrical contact between electrode and GDL under lower contact pressure. To increase Gurley number by reducing matrix density makes concentration overpotential lower.