Innovative Perfluoropolyether‐Functionalized Gas Diffusion Layers with Enhanced Performance in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

In this work, perfluoropolyether (PFPE) functionalization was used as hydrophizing treatment for gas diffusion layers (GDLs) in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), instead of standard PTFE coatings, aiming to enhance the hydrophobicity of the gas diffusion media and to reduce the mass...

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Published inFuel cells (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) Vol. 20; no. 2; pp. 166 - 175
Main Authors Latorrata, S., Sansotera, M., Gola, M., Stampino, P. Gallo, Navarrini, W., Dotelli, G.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Weinheim Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.04.2020
Subjects
Carbon
Carbon black
Cloth
Diffusion coatings
Diffusion layers
Electrolytes
Electrolytic cells
Fuel cells
Gas Diffusion Layer
Gaseous diffusion
Humidity
Hydrophobicity
Mass transfer
PEMFC
Perfluoropolyethers
Performance enhancement
Polymers
Polytetrafluoroethylene
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells
Relative humidity
Superhydrophobic Coating
Water Management
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Summary:In this work, perfluoropolyether (PFPE) functionalization was used as hydrophizing treatment for gas diffusion layers (GDLs) in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), instead of standard PTFE coatings, aiming to enhance the hydrophobicity of the gas diffusion media and to reduce the mass transfer limitations in the final device. Carbon cloth diffusion layers and carbon black were functionalized by decomposition of a PFPE peroxide. PFPE‐functionalized carbon black was employed in the preparation of an ink suitable for obtaining microporous layers (MPLs) by deposition onto macroporous backing layers. Dual‐layer gas diffusion media showing superhydrophobic behavior due to different hydrophobizing treatments were compared with conventional PTFE‐based materials, by testing in a single PEMFC working at two different temperatures and at low and high relative humidity conditions. Such tests demonstrated improved performances over conventional GDLs for pure PFPE‐based samples in terms of both overall electrical performance and reduced diffusive limitations in high current density conditions. The maximum output power achieved with the novel PFPE‐based compounds was 460 mW cm−2 at 80 °C and relative humidity (RH) 100% while the best improvement (10%) with respect to conventional GDLs was realized at 80 °C and RH 60%.
ISSN:1615-6846
1615-6854
DOI:10.1002/fuce.201900169