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Performance Evaluation and Durability Enhancement of FEP-Based Gas Diffusion Media for PEM Fuel Cells

Author

Listed:
  • Saverio Latorrata

    (Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Polytechnic University of Milan and INSTM RU-POLIMI, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Paola Gallo Stampino

    (Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Polytechnic University of Milan and INSTM RU-POLIMI, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Cinzia Cristiani

    (Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Polytechnic University of Milan and INSTM RU-POLIMI, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Giovanni Dotelli

    (Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Polytechnic University of Milan and INSTM RU-POLIMI, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy)

Abstract

Nowadays, micro-porous layers (MPLs) for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are commonly deposited onto gas diffusion layer (GDL) substrates starting from hydrophobic carbon-based dispersions. In this work, different quantities of fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), a fluorinated copolymer proven to be superior to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) for a proper water management, were used to make both GDL and MPL hydrophobic. After the identification of the optimal amount of FEP, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was also added to gas diffusion media (GDM) to reduce overall ohmic resistance of the whole device and adhesion of MPLs to GDLs. Ex-situ chemical and mechanical accelerated stress tests (ASTs) were carried out to accelerate degradation of materials aiming to assess their durability. The highest quantity of FEP in GDMs led to the best electrochemical and diffusive properties. The presence of CMC allowed reducing overall ohmic resistance due to a better electrolyte hydration. A satisfactory durability was proven since the fundamental properties related to gas diffusion medium, such as wettability, ohmic and mass transport resistances, revealed to be quasi-stable upon ASTs.

Suggested Citation

  • Saverio Latorrata & Paola Gallo Stampino & Cinzia Cristiani & Giovanni Dotelli, 2017. "Performance Evaluation and Durability Enhancement of FEP-Based Gas Diffusion Media for PEM Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:10:y:2017:i:12:p:2063-:d:121723
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Alessandro Arrigoni & Valeria Arosio & Andrea Basso Peressut & Saverio Latorrata & Giovanni Dotelli, 2022. "Greenhouse Gas Implications of Extending the Service Life of PEM Fuel Cells for Automotive Applications: A Life Cycle Assessment," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 4(1), pages 1-17, February.
    2. 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).
    3. Marco Mariani & Andrea Basso Peressut & Saverio Latorrata & Riccardo Balzarotti & Maurizio Sansotera & Giovanni Dotelli, 2021. "The Role of Fluorinated Polymers in the Water Management of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-17, December.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    6. Devin Fowler & Vladimir Gurau & Daniel Cox, 2019. "Bridging the Gap between Automated Manufacturing of Fuel Cell Components and Robotic Assembly of Fuel Cell Stacks," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-14, September.
    7. 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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