Gas Diffusion Layers with Deterministic Structure for High Performance Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Sustainable Energy

Background:

• Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) are crucial for sustainable mobility.
• Effective water management in the gas diffusion layer (GDL) is critical for PEFC performance.
• Current GDLs with stochastic structures exhibit limitations in water and gas transport.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel GDL material with a deterministic structure.
• To investigate its impact on water management and gas transport.
• To demonstrate improved PEFC performance using this new material.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a novel two-layered fabric GDL with a deterministic structure.
• Utilizing X-ray tomographic imaging to analyze water and gas transport.
• Performance testing of PEFCs incorporating the novel GDL material.

Main Results:

• The deterministic GDL facilitates efficient water transport due to its single pore throat structure.
• An open, regular structure enhances effective gas diffusivity.
• X-ray data confirmed improved water management and superior cell performance.

Conclusions:

• Novel deterministic GDL materials offer superior water management and gas transport compared to stochastic GDLs.
• These materials present tunable properties adaptable to specific fuel cell channel geometries.
• The developed GDLs represent a significant advancement for PEFC technology and sustainable energy solutions.