Abstract
Nowadays, micro-porous layers (MPLs) for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are commonly deposited onto gas diffusion layer (GDL) substrates starting from hydrophobic carbon-based dispersions. In this work, different quantities of fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), a fluorinated copolymer proven to be superior to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) for a proper water management, were used to make both GDL and MPL hydrophobic. After the identification of the optimal amount of FEP, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was also added to gas diffusion media (GDM) to reduce overall ohmic resistance of the whole device and adhesion of MPLs to GDLs. Ex-situ chemical and mechanical accelerated stress tests (ASTs) were carried out to accelerate degradation of materials aiming to assess their durability. The highest quantity of FEP in GDMs led to the best electrochemical and diffusive properties. The presence of CMC allowed reducing overall ohmic resistance due to a better electrolyte hydration. A satisfactory durability was proven since the fundamental properties related to gas diffusion medium, such as wettability, ohmic and mass transport resistances, revealed to be quasi-stable upon ASTs.
Highlights
Fuel cells are regarded promising devices for clean energy generation for both stationary and mobile applications
A satisfactory durability was proven since the fundamental properties related to gas diffusion medium, such as wettability, ohmic and mass transport resistances, revealed to be quasi-stable upon accelerated stress tests (ASTs)
Gas diffusion medium (GDM) is a fundamental component for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) because it is inserted between the bipolar plate and the catalytic layer [9] aiming to properly manage water which both enters the cell with humidified reactants and is produced by the redox reaction
Summary
Fuel cells are regarded promising devices for clean energy generation for both stationary and mobile applications. Depending on specific operating conditions and employed materials, liquid water management can be critical both at low and at high current density [11]. In this respect, gas diffusion medium (GDM) is a fundamental component for a PEMFC because it is inserted between the bipolar plate and the catalytic layer [9] aiming to properly manage water which both enters the cell with humidified reactants and is produced by the redox reaction. GDM is formed by a carbon cloth or paper macro-porous substrate (gas diffusion layer, GDL) and a micro-porous layer (MPL) [9]. It is well-established that its use leads to a Energies 2017, 10, 2063; doi:10.3390/en10122063 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies
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