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A graphene-based microporous layer for proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Characterization and performance comparison

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  • Ozden, Adnan
  • Shahgaldi, Samaneh
  • Li, Xianguo
  • Hamdullahpur, Feridun

Abstract

Water management is a critical issue for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, and the use of a microporous layer (MPL) substantially improves the PEM fuel cell performance, reliability and durability through improved water management. In this study, graphene, technically a yet-to-be-developed category of material, is investigated as a potential MPL material, due to its high electrical and thermal conductivity. MPLs made of graphene (G-MPL) have been fabricated and assessed through morphological, microstructural, physical, and electrochemical characterizations and performance testing in a single scaled-up cell. Comparison is also made with MPLs made of a conventional material, Vulcan (V-MPL). The results show that the G-MPL has a unique morphology composed of horizontally packaged graphene flakes that improves water management, in-plane electrical conductivity (up to 2 times), catalyst activity, and platinum (Pt) utilization (up to 10%). The cell with the G-MPL has a better performance than the cell with the V-MPL under both fully (100% RH) and partially (40% RH) humidified conditions, with the peak power densities of 0.98 W cm−2 and 0.60 W cm−2, respectively – these peak power densities are about 7% and 43% higher than those obtained for the cell with the V-MPL at 100% and 40% RH, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Ozden, Adnan & Shahgaldi, Samaneh & Li, Xianguo & Hamdullahpur, Feridun, 2018. "A graphene-based microporous layer for proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Characterization and performance comparison," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 485-494.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:126:y:2018:i:c:p:485-494
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2018.03.065
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Xiaoqing & Yang, Jiapei & Ma, Xiao & Zhuge, Weilin & Shuai, Shijin, 2022. "Modelling and analysis on effects of penetration of microporous layer into gas diffusion layer in PEM fuel cells: Focusing on mass transport," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PA).
    2. Riccardo Balzarotti & Saverio Latorrata & Marco Mariani & Paola Gallo Stampino & Giovanni Dotelli, 2020. "Optimization of Perfluoropolyether-Based Gas Diffusion Media Preparation for PEM Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-14, April.
    3. Aldakheel, F. & Ismail, M.S. & Hughes, K.J. & Ingham, D.B. & Ma, L. & Pourkashanian, M. & Cumming, D. & Smith, R., 2020. "Gas permeability, wettability and morphology of gas diffusion layers before and after performing a realistic ex-situ compression test," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 1082-1091.
    4. Xu, Jingmei & Zhang, Zhenguo & Yang, Kai & Zhang, Huixuan & Wang, Zhe, 2019. "Synthesis and properties of novel cross-linked composite sulfonated poly (aryl ether ketone sulfone) containing multiple sulfonic side chains for high-performance proton exchange membranes," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 1104-1113.
    5. Bhosale, Amit C. & Rengaswamy, Raghunathan, 2019. "Interfacial contact resistance in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells: Recent developments and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    6. Shahgaldi, Samaneh & Ozden, Adnan & Li, Xianguo & Hamdullahpur, Feridun, 2020. "A scaled-up proton exchange membrane fuel cell with enhanced performance and durability," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 268(C).

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