Influence of the gas diffusion layer on the performance of an open cathode polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

Abstract

The performance of an open cathode fuel cell was investigated as a function of the type of gas diffusion layer used in its membrane electrode assemble (MEA) preparation. In this context, a new diffusion layer developed in our laboratory called eCoCell was studied, in comparison with the reputed commercial one Sigracet 38BC.Thus, the characterization of both gas diffusion layers was carried out through the measurement of the following properties: porosity, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and hydrophobicity. Finally, the performance of a single open cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cell was carried using both gas diffusion layers. From the results obtained in this work, we conclude that this new gas diffusion layer called eCoCell shows an optimum performance for the whole range of temperatures studied due to its high hydrophobicity, bimodal pore distribution, low thermal conductivity and high electrical conductivity.