elib
DLR-Header
DLR-Logo -> http://www.dlr.de
DLR Portal Home | Imprint | Privacy Policy | Accessibility | Contact | Deutsch
Fontsize: [-] Text [+]

Non-uniform Hydrophobicity in Gas Diffusion Media of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Components

Biswas, Indro and Gazdzicki, Pawel and Tomas, Martin and Schulze, Mathias (2015) Non-uniform Hydrophobicity in Gas Diffusion Media of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Components. GDCh-Wissenschaftsforum 2015, 2015-08-30 - 2015-09-02, Dresden, Deutschland.

[img] PDF (Poster) - Only accessible within DLR
18MB

Abstract

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells with their high gravimetric energy density face a water balance problem especially under variable loads, which represents normal automotive operation: The excess product water needs to be removed from the fuel cell while maintaining a humidified membrane. The gas diffusion layer (GDL), which also provides contact to the electrochemically active components, is responsible for a passive water management of the cell. The adjustment of the hydrophobicity of the GDL is crucial for stable operation, and non-uniform hydrophobicity has already been shown to be advantageous. In polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC) they typically consist of conductive medium, either a carbon based powder in the microporous layer (MPL) or carbon felt/fibres/cloth in the macroporous backing, and a hydrophobicity impregnation agent like polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The ratio determines the hydrophobicity and thus the performance. Modifications of the hydrophobicity were applied, in particular with the goal to form a non-uniform wettability to the gas diffusion media, thus introducing in parallel more hydrophilic pathways for water while maintaining more hydrophobic areas. Modifications applied by irradiation with laser, x-ray, and ion-beam were assessed and correlated to the alterations of hydrophobicity and tested for improvements. It was observed, that while a direct improvement in output power could not be achieved with pure hydrophobicity modifications, the current density distribution in a running fuel cell was more homogeneous. Both the areas of extremely high and low current densities were reduced. Due to the close correlation of these extreme conditions and the degradation of PEFCs, it can be expected, that the durability is increased with the applied non-uniform surface modifications. References [1] P. Kuttanikkad, M. Prat, J. Pauchet, Pore-network simulations of two-phase flow in a thin porous layer of mixed wettability: Application to water transport in gas diffusion layers of proton exchange membrane fuel cells, J. Power Sources 196 (2011) 1145. [2] M. Schulze, C. Christenn, XPS investigation of the PTFE induced hydrophobic properties of electrodes for low temperature fuel cells, App. Surf. Sci. 252.

Item URL in elib:https://elib.dlr.de/99186/
Document Type:Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)
Title:Non-uniform Hydrophobicity in Gas Diffusion Media of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Components
Authors:
AuthorsInstitution or Email of AuthorsAuthor's ORCID iDORCID Put Code
Biswas, IndroUNSPECIFIEDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-6815-4204UNSPECIFIED
Gazdzicki, PawelUNSPECIFIEDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-5728-7861UNSPECIFIED
Tomas, MartinUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Schulze, MathiasUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIEDUNSPECIFIED
Date:31 August 2015
Refereed publication:Yes
Open Access:No
Gold Open Access:No
In SCOPUS:No
In ISI Web of Science:No
Status:Published
Keywords:fuel cells, polymer electrolyte membrane, gas diffusion media, hydrophobicity, patterning,
Event Title:GDCh-Wissenschaftsforum 2015
Event Location:Dresden, Deutschland
Event Type:national Conference
Event Start Date:30 August 2015
Event End Date:2 September 2015
Organizer:GDCh
HGF - Research field:Energy
HGF - Program:Efficient Energy Conversion and Use (old)
HGF - Program Themes:other (old)
DLR - Research area:Energy
DLR - Program:E VG - Combustion and Gas Turbine Technologies
DLR - Research theme (Project):E - Materials for Energy Technology (old)
Location: Stuttgart
Institutes and Institutions:Institute of Engineering Thermodynamics > Electrochemical Energy Technology
Deposited By: Biswas, Dr. Indro
Deposited On:16 Nov 2015 11:54
Last Modified:24 Apr 2024 20:04

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Browse
Search
Help & Contact
Information
OpenAIRE Validator logo electronic library is running on EPrints 3.3.12
Website and database design: Copyright © German Aerospace Center (DLR). All rights reserved.