Experimental and computational study of the microporous layer and hydrophobic treatment in the gas diffusion layer of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Sarker, Mrittunjoy; Rahman, Md Azimur; Mojica, Felipe; Mehrazi, Shirin; Kort-Kamp, Wilton J.M.; Chuang, Po-Ya Abel

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2021.230350

Title: Experimental and computational study of the microporous layer and hydrophobic treatment in the gas diffusion layer of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Journal Article · Mon Aug 16 00:00:00 UTC 2021 · Journal of Power Sources

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpowsour.2021.230350 · OSTI ID:1822783

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Univ. of California, Merced, CA (United States)
Univ. of California, Merced, CA (United States); Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Enabling fuel cell operation at high current density is critical for developing competitive alternative power system to replace internal combustion engine. However, liquid water management continues to be a challenge for high humidity or high current density operation. Water condensation in the porous media hinders efficient oxygen transport to the catalyst layer, which in turns, reduces fuel cell performance. To improve water management capability, the gas diffusion layer is often impregnated with Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and coated with a thin microporous layer, which have shown to improve fuel cell performance, especially under wet conditions. However, the fundamental mechanism that drives the performance enhancement is still not well understood. In this work, the effects of PTFE impregnation and MPL were studied using both experimental and computational techniques. Both limiting current and polarization tests under dry and wet operating condition are conducted to study the oxygen transport resistance and fuel cell performance. In addition, a 2-D, two-phase, multi-physics PEMFC model is developed to simulate performance and gain a fundamental understanding of local water saturation and oxygen concentration. The combined results show that 5 wt% PTFE impregnation with MPL significantly enhances liquid water management, which enables higher current density operation of a fuel cell.

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Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program

Grant/Contract Number:: 89233218CNA000001

OSTI ID:: 1822783

Report Number(s):: LA-UR--20-26701

Journal Information:: Journal of Power Sources, Journal Name: Journal of Power Sources Vol. 509; ISSN 0378-7753

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: Experimental and computational study of the microporous layer and hydrophobic treatment in the gas diffusion layer of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

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