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Effect of Microporous Layer Ink Homogenisation on the Through-Plane Gas Permeability of PEFC Porous Media

Author

Listed:
  • Narvin D. Neehall

    (ICSI Energy, National Research and Development Institute for Cryogenic and Isotopic Technologies, 240050 Ramnicu Valcea, Romania)

  • Mohammed S. Ismail

    (School of Engineering, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK)

  • Kevin J. Hughes

    (Energy Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RD, UK)

  • Mohamed Pourkashanian

    (Energy Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RD, UK
    Translational Energy Research Centre, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RD, UK)

Abstract

The through-plane gas permeability and morphology of PEFC gas diffusion media (GDM) is investigated for different microporous layer (MPL) ink homogenisation techniques (bath sonication and magnetic stirring) for low- (Vulcan XC-72R) and high (Ketjenblack EC-300J)-surface-area carbon powders. The MPL composition is held constant at 80 wt.% carbon powder and 20 wt.% PTFE for a carbon loading of 1.0 mg cm −2 . The MPL ink homogenisation time is held constant at two hours for both techniques and increased by one hour for bath sonication to compare with previous investigations. The results show that the through-plane gas permeability of the GDM is approximately doubled using magnetic stirring when compared with bath sonication for MPLs composed of Vulcan XC-72R, with a negligible change in surface morphology between the structures produced from either homogenisation technique. The variation in through-plane gas permeability is almost negligible for MPLs composed of Ketjenblack EC-300J compared with Vulcan XC-72R; however, MPL surface morphology changes considerably with bath sonication, producing smoother, less cracked surfaces compared to the large cracks produced via magnetic stirring for a large-surface-area carbon powder. An MPL ink sonication time of three hours results in a percentage reduction in through-plane gas permeability from the GDL substrate permeability by ~72% for Ketjenblack EC-300J compared to ~47% for two hours.

Suggested Citation

  • Narvin D. Neehall & Mohammed S. Ismail & Kevin J. Hughes & Mohamed Pourkashanian, 2023. "Effect of Microporous Layer Ink Homogenisation on the Through-Plane Gas Permeability of PEFC Porous Media," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-15, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:16:p:5944-:d:1215518
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
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