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Effect of PTFE Content in Gas Diffusion Media and Microlayer on the Performance of PEMFC Tested under Ambient Pressure
Author(s) -
Velayutham G.,
Kaushik J.,
Rajalakshmi N.,
Dhathathreyan K. S.
Publication year - 2007
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.200600032
Subject(s) - proton exchange membrane fuel cell , electrolyte , polytetrafluoroethylene , materials science , cathode , ambient pressure , gaseous diffusion , electrode , diffusion , chemical engineering , membrane electrode assembly , electrochemistry , composite material , fuel cells , chemistry , physics , engineering , thermodynamics
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) content in the fuel cell electrode plays an important role on the performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) when the cell is tested under low temperature and under ambient pressure. PTFE is added to the PEM fuel cell electrode to improve the mechanical strength and to help in removing the product water formed on the cathode; however, higher PTFE loading increases the resistance and thus decreases the performance of the cell and very low PTFE content has the disadvantage of water flooding in long‐term operation. We have investigated the effect of the PTFE content in the gas diffusion media (carbon paper) and in the microlayer on the performance of PEMFC operating at ambient pressure. The PTFE contents in these two layers have to be finely matched to get the best performance of the cells. The polarisation behaviour, electrochemical surface area and the electrochemical impedance spectra have been analysed. The results are presented in this paper.