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http://dx.doi.org/10.14478/ace.2020.1068

Effect of Gas Diffusion Layer Property on PEMFC Performance  

Kim, Junseob (School of Chemical Engineering, University of Ulsan)
Kim, Junbom (School of Chemical Engineering, University of Ulsan)
Publication Information
Applied Chemistry for Engineering / v.31, no.5, 2020 , pp. 568-574 More about this Journal
Abstract
Gas diffusion layer (GDL) is one of the main components of PEMFC as a pathway of reactants from a flow field to an electrode, water transport in reverse direction, heat management and structural support of MEA. In this study, the effect of GDL on fuel cell performance was investigated for commercial products such as 39BC and JNT30-A3. Polarization curve measurements were performed at different flow rates and relative humidity conditions using 25 ㎠ unit cell. The parameters on operating conditions were calculated using an empirical equation. The electrical resistance increased as the GDL PTFE content increased. The crack of microporous layer had influence on the concentration loss as water pathway. In addition, the ohmic resistance increased as the relative humidity decreased, but decreased as the current density increased due to water formation. Curve fitting analysis using the empirical equation model was applied to identify the tendency of performance parameters on operating conditions for the gas diffusion layer.
Keywords
PEMFC; Gas diffusion layer; Polarization curve; Empirical equation;
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