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Characterisation of Fuel Cell Membranes as a Function of Drying by Means of Contact Angle Measurements
Author(s) -
Brack H.P.,
Slaski M.,
Gubler L.,
Scherer G.G.,
Alkan S.,
Wokaun A.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
fuel cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.485
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1615-6854
pISSN - 1615-6846
DOI - 10.1002/fuce.200400018
Subject(s) - wetting , contact angle , membrane , materials science , fuel cells , chemical engineering , proton exchange membrane fuel cell , polarization (electrochemistry) , pressing , composite material , chemistry , biochemistry , engineering
Abstract In another paper in this volume, it is demonstrated that the electrochemical interface in MEAs, and thus the polarization performance of the resulting fuel cells, can be improved by optimising the hot‐pressing procedure in the MEA preparation. In particular, the extent of drying of the membrane during MEA preparation was shown to be critical. In the present investigation, the effect of the drying process, and thus water content, on the hydrophilicity, wetting, and surface energies of some fuel cell membranes is examined. Wetting and surface energies are well known to influence the bonding behaviour of materials. Conclusions about how membrane drying and changes in water content influence membrane bonding and the relative importance of these surface effects are drawn.