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Mitigation of Water Management in PEM Fuel Cell Cathodes by Hydrophilic Wicking Microporous Layers
Author(s) -
Schweiss R.,
Steeb M.,
Wilde P. M.
Publication year - 2010
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.201000003
Subject(s) - microporous material , electrolyte , cathode , chemical engineering , materials science , proton exchange membrane fuel cell , diffusion , electrochemistry , water transport , porosity , polymer , layer (electronics) , water vapor , fuel cells , gaseous diffusion , chemistry , nanotechnology , electrode , composite material , environmental science , water flow , environmental engineering , organic chemistry , physics , engineering , thermodynamics
This study introduces a novel strategy for enhancing the performance of polymer electrolyte fuel cells at high current densities by means of an advanced gas diffusion layer design. The incorporation of hydrophilic wicking agents into microporous layers of the cathode gas diffusion layer improves water management, thus increasing the maximum power density of polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Ex situ measurements with respect to water and vapour transport, and electrochemical polarisation data provide evidence suggesting that the beneficial effect has to be attributed to enhanced liquid water removal through the microporous layer.