Title :
The influence of hydrophobic polymer content in the microporous layer on the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells
Author :
Vidmar, Jeff ; Da Costa, Matthew ; Karimi, Shahram ; Foulkes, Frank R.
Author_Institution :
Alternative Energy Eng. Technol., Lambton Coll., Sarnia, ON, Canada
Abstract :
The effects of hydrophobic polymer content and loading in the gas diffusion and microporous layers on the performance of an H2/O2 proton exchange membrane fuel cell were investigated. A membrane-electrode assembly with a microporous layer containing 20 wt.% polytetrafluoroethylene exhibits the best performance. Furthermore, a microporous layer loading of 1.5 milligrams of polytetrafluoroethylene and carbon powder per square centimeter of the gas diffusion electrode shows the best result. Electrodes have been characterized by electrochemical tests in a 5-cm2 single cell.
Keywords :
diffusion; electrodes; polymers; proton exchange membrane fuel cells; carbon powder; gas diffusion electrode; hydrophobic polymer content; membrane-electrode assembly; microporous layer; polytetrafluoroethylene; proton exchange membrane fuel cells; Assembly; Biomembranes; Cathodes; Electrodes; Fuel cells; Inorganic materials; Organic materials; Platinum; Polymers; Protons; gas diffusion layer; hydrophobic polymer; microporous layer; proton exchange membrane fuel cell;
Conference_Titel :
Science and Technology for Humanity (TIC-STH), 2009 IEEE Toronto International Conference
Conference_Location :
Toronto, ON
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-3877-8
Electronic_ISBN :
978-1-4244-3878-5
DOI :
10.1109/TIC-STH.2009.5444415
