Effect of hydrophilic treatment of microporous layer on fuel cell performance
- Los Alamos National Laboratory
- NIST
- GERMANY
The gas diffusion layer in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell is the component primarily responsible for effective water management under a wide variety of conditions. The incorporation of hydrophilic alumosilicate fibers in the microporous layer leads to an improvement in the fuel cell performance associated with a decrease in the mass transport resistance especially under high RH operation. This improvement in performance is obtained without sacrificing performance under low RH conditions. The alumosilicate fibers create domains that wick liquid water away from the catalyst layer. The improved mass transport performance is corroborated by AC impedance and neutron radiography analysis and is consistent with an increase in the average pore diameter inside the microporous layer.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC52-06NA25396
- OSTI ID:
- 1023430
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-10-04632; LA-UR-10-4632; TRN: US201118%%1020
- Resource Relation:
- Journal Volume: 33; Journal Issue: 1; Conference: 218th Electrochemical Society Meeting ; October 11, 2010 ; Las Vegas, NV
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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