Effect of Hydrophilic Treatment of Microporous Layer on Fuel Cell Performance

• Published in: ECS transactions Vol. 33; no. 1; pp. 1109 - 1114
• Main Authors: Mukundan, Rangachary, Davey, John, Fairweather, Joseph D., Spernjak, Dusan, Spendelow, Jacob S., Hussey, Daniel S., Jacobson, David, Wilde, Peter, Schweiss, Ruediger, Borup, Rodney L.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.01.2010
• Subjects: 30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION; CATALYSTS; DIFFUSION; FIBERS; FUEL CELLS; IMPEDANCE; MANAGEMENT; NEUTRON RADIOGRAPHY; PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELLS; TRANSPORT; WATER
• ISSN: 1938-5862; 1938-6737
• DOI: 10.1149/1.3484604

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.