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Carbon nanotube sheet as a microporous layer for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

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  • Kim, Jaeyeon
  • Kim, Hyeok
  • Song, Hyeonjun
  • Kim, Dasol
  • Kim, Geon Hwi
  • Im, Dasom
  • Jeong, Youngjin
  • Park, Taehyun

Abstract

A multi-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet was employed and investigated as a microporous layer (MPL) of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The CNT sheet was synthesized via floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition method. The CNT sheet MPLs with the thickness of 15, 30, and 100 μm were prepared and compared with a commercial carbon-black MPL. As a result, it was found that the PEMFC with the 15-μm-thick CNT sheet MPL showed high electrochemical performance, and it outtopped the conventional PEMFC. The 15-μm-thick CNT sheet MPL increased the peak power density by 50.9% in air-supplied cathode and 20.9% in pure oxygen-supplied cathode compared to the conventional PEMFC. Through electrochemical impedance analyses, it was found that the CNT sheet MPL effectively decreased a charge transfer resistance, which is attributed to the improved reaction kinetics and mass transport through the MPL.

Suggested Citation

  • Kim, Jaeyeon & Kim, Hyeok & Song, Hyeonjun & Kim, Dasol & Kim, Geon Hwi & Im, Dasom & Jeong, Youngjin & Park, Taehyun, 2021. "Carbon nanotube sheet as a microporous layer for proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:227:y:2021:i:c:s0360544221007088
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2021.120459
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    3. Lin, Rui & Dong, Mengcheng & Lan, Shunbo & Lou, Mingyu, 2023. "Numerical simulation of liquid water transport in perforated cracks of microporous layer," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 262(PB).
    4. Lee, F.C. & Ismail, M.S. & Ingham, D.B. & Hughes, K.J. & Ma, L & Lyth, S.M. & Pourkashanian, M., 2022. "Alternative architectures and materials for PEMFC gas diffusion layers: A review and outlook," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    5. Guo, Lingyi & Chen, Li & Zhang, Ruiyuan & Peng, Ming & Tao, Wen-Quan, 2022. "Pore-scale simulation of two-phase flow and oxygen reactive transport in gas diffusion layer of proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Effects of nonuniform wettability and porosity," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    6. Lee, Jiseung & Salihi, Hassan & Lee, Jaeseung & Ju, Hyunchul, 2022. "Impedance modeling for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells by combining the transient two-phase fuel cell and equivalent electric circuit models," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PC).
    7. Kwon, Obeen & Kim, Jaeyeon & Choi, Heesoo & Cha, Hyeonjin & Shin, Myunggyu & Jeong, Youngjin & Park, Taehyun, 2022. "CNT sheet as a cathodic functional interlayer in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).

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