Multiwall Carbon Nanotube-Based Microporous Layers for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells. Issue 12 (22nd August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, J.; Banerjee, R.; George, M. G.; Muirhead, D.; Shrestha, P.; Liu, H.; Ge, N.; Chevalier, S.; Bazylak, A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Electrochemical Society. Volume 164:Issue 12(2017)
• Page Start: F1149
• Page End: F1157
• Publication Date: 2017-08-22
• Subjects: computed tomography -- gas diffusion layer -- microporous layer -- multiwall carbon nanotubes -- PEM fuel cell -- synchrotron X-ray; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; 541.3705
• DOI: 10.1149/2.0861712jes
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4651

Abstract

Abstract : The presence of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) corresponded to a dispersion of carbon black particles in the microporous layer (MPL) of the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The gas diffusion layer (GDL) with a MWCNT-based MPL exhibited larger pores and a higher porosity compared to a conventional GDL, and less MPL intrusion into the GDL substrate was observed with the MWCNTs-based MPL. The GDLs were evaluated in operando in a fuel cell that was customized for concurrent liquid water visualization (synchrotron X-ray radiography) and electrochemical characterization. The MWCNT-based fuel cell exhibited higher power densities and lower mass transport resistances compared to the fuel cell with the conventional GDL; however, a higher liquid water saturation was observed for the MWCNT-based GDL. Although the liquid water saturation in the MWCNT-based GDL was higher, its higher effective porosity led to superior performance compared to the conventional fuel cell. The use of the MWCNTs-based MPL resulted in improved oxygen transport in the fuel cell, particularly at high current densities.