US EPA

4965354 

Journal Article 

Determination of the pore size distribution of micro porous layer in PEMFC using pore forming agents under various drying conditions 

Chun, JH; Park, KiTae; Jo, DH; Lee, JiY; Kim, SGon; Lee, EunS; Jyoung, JyY; Kim, SH 

2010 

Yes 

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
ISSN: 0360-3199 

35 

20 

11148-11153 

10.1016/j.ijhydene.2010.07.056 

WOS:000284443200036 

In this paper, the effect of the pore size distribution of a micro-porous layer (MPL) on the performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) was investigated using self-made gas diffusion layers (GDLs) with different MPLs for which the pore size distribution was modified using pore forming agents under different drying conditions. When MPL dried at high temperature, more macro pores, approximately 1,000-20,000 nm in diameter, and less micro pores, below 100 nm, were observed relative to when MPL was dried at low temperature. Self-made GDLs were characterized by a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), mercury porosimetry and self-made gas permeability measurement equipment. The performance of the single cells was measured under two different humidification conditions. The results demonstrate that the optimum pore size distribution of MPL depended on the cell operating humidification condition. The MPL dried at high temperature performed better than the MPL dried at low temperature under a low humidification condition; however, MPL dried at low temperature performed better under a high humidification condition. (C) 2010 Professor T. Nejat Veziroglu. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC); Micro porous layer (MPL); Pore forming agent; Pore size distribution