Open AccessQuantitative visualization of a gas diffusion layer in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using synchrotron X‐ray imaging techniques
Author(s) -
Kim Seung Gon,
Lee Sang Joon
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of synchrotron radiation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 99
ISSN - 1600-5775
DOI - 10.1107/s0909049513001659
Subject(s) - porosity , synchrotron , electrolyte , materials science , polymer , diffusion , synchrotron radiation , layer (electronics) , gaseous diffusion , x ray , x ray microtomography , fuel cells , composite material , chemical engineering , analytical chemistry (journal) , chemistry , optics , chromatography , thermodynamics , electrode , physics , engineering
A gas diffusion layer (GDL) in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) is quantitatively visualized using synchrotron X‐ray micro‐computed tomography. For three‐dimensional reconstruction, an adaptive threshold method is used. This method is compared with the conventional method, i.e. Otsu's method. Additionally, the spatial and temporal variations of the porosity distribution of the GDL under freeze‐and‐thaw cycles are investigated experimentally. The freeze‐and‐thaw cycles are established simply using a CRYO system and light source illumination, respectively. Structural defects are found to largely affect the porosity of the GDL. In addition, a cyclic porosity variation is observed in the GDL under freeze‐and‐thaw cycles. The heterogeneous porosity is irreversibly decreased with the progress of repetitive cycles.