Open AccessStudy of Cathode Gas Diffusion Architecture for Improved Oxygen Transport in Hydroxide Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Author(s) -
Catherine Weiss,
Brian P. Setzler,
Yushan Yan
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of the electrochemical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.258
H-Index - 271
eISSN - 1945-7111
pISSN - 0013-4651
DOI - 10.1149/1945-7111/ac6446
Subject(s) - cathode , proton exchange membrane fuel cell , oxygen transport , limiting current , anode , chemistry , chemical engineering , oxygen , microporous material , hydrogen , water transport , diesel fuel , diffusion , materials science , electrochemistry , water flow , electrode , catalysis , environmental engineering , organic chemistry , thermodynamics , physics , engineering
The high pH environment in hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells (HEMFCs) has the potential to reach lower costs than proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). A significant difference between HEMFCs and PEMFCs is the location of water production within the cell. In PEMFCs, the water is produced on the cathode, limiting oxygen transport. In HEMFCs, the water is produced on the anode where the fuel is pure hydrogen. This allows the cathode to be optimized for oxygen transport without the presence of excess liquid water. Limiting current analysis, a technique previously used in PEMFCs, is adopted in HEMFCs to evaluate the oxygen mass transport resistances for different sections of the cathode. Through elimination of the microporous layer (MPL), gas diffusion layer (GDL), and traditional flow field and using porous nickel foam for gas distribution, the transport resistance at an operating condition of 150 kPa(g) and with the cell temperature at 80°C was decreased from 112 s m-1 to 48 s m-1, effectively halved. The optimal configuration for performance was found with Ni foam and a GDL, eliminating the MPL and traditional flow field, which vastly improved oxygen transport while maintaining adequate electrical contact with the cathode catalyst layer.