Investigating the role of graphite and reduced graphene oxide in the fabrication of microporous layers for proton exchange membrane fuel cells
Source abstract
Abstract
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) require efficient water management. Microporous layers (MPLs) are crucial to solve this problem due to their positive effects on the two-phase mass transfer process. The performance of MPLs is mainly determined by the properties of the materials used for their construction as well as other basic transport properties, including morphology, porous structure, wettability, and electrical resistivity. In this study, graphite and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were used as the main components to fabricate MPLs for use in PEMFCs because they are highly conductive and thermally efficient. Single-layer MPLs are prepared by compressing MPL powders with different proportions of ingredients. In contrast, two-layer gas diffusion layers were fabricated by applying MPL pastes to a benchmark Toray carbon paper using a screen-printing process. FTIR and XRD analysis of main components and some samples are performed to investigated functional groups and the nature of MPLs’ surface, respectively. An analysis of the effects of graphite, rGO, and hydrophobic agents’ constituents on the physical properties (electrical resistivity, contact angle, roughness, porosity, and permeability) of the fabricated MPL or MPL-coated carbon papers by screen-printing method has been performed. Also, the effect of different coating methods (screen-printing and spraying) on different properties of graphite-based and rGO-based MPLs has been investigated. The results show that composites based on rGO have higher electrical resistivity than that of graphite-based MPLs, but lower roughness. However, MPLs based on rGO exhibit better contact angle, higher porosity, and improved gas permeability. Moreover, as expected, the contact angle and electrical resistivity increase, while the porosity and permeability decrease when the hydrophobic agents (polytetrafluoroethylene, and polyvinylidene difluoride) which are also used as binders, are increased. On the other hand, screen printed graphite-based MPL has lower electrical resistivity, while screen printed rGO-based MPL has higher porosity percentage, roughness, and permeability than the sprayed one.
Source: expertdata · Quality: candidate unverified · Source record ↗
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Fuel Cells and Related Materials · Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion · Advanced battery technologies research
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (55)
Show source-provided references
1. Sharaf OZ, Orhan MF (2014) An overview of fuel cell technology: fundamentals and applications. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 32:810–85310.1016/j.rser.2014.01.012 ↗
2. Wang Y et al (2011) A review of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells: technology, applications, and needs on fundamental research. Appl Energy 88(4):981–100710.1016/j.apenergy.2010.09.030 ↗
3. Majlan E et al (2018) Electrode for proton exchange membrane fuel cells: A review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 89:117–13410.1016/j.rser.2018.03.007 ↗
4. Park S, Lee J-W, Popov BN (2012) A review of gas diffusion layer in PEM fuel cells: materials and designs. Int J Hydrog Energy 37(7):5850–586510.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.12.148 ↗
5. Blanco M, Wilkinson DP, Wang H (2011) Perforated metal sheets as gas diffusion layers for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Electrochem Solid-State Lett 15(3):B2010.1149/2.017203esl ↗
6. Peighambardoust SJ, Rowshanzamir S, Amjadi M (2010) Review of the proton exchange membranes for fuel cell applications. Int J Hydrog Energy 35(17):9349–938410.1016/j.ijhydene.2010.05.017 ↗
7. Williams MV et al (2004) Characterization of gas diffusion layers for PEMFC. J Electrochem Soc 151(8):A117310.1149/1.1764779 ↗
8. Fischer A, Jindra J, Wendt H (1998) Porosity and catalyst utilization of thin layer cathodes in air operated PEM-fuel cells. J Appl Electrochem 28(3):277–28210.1023/A:1003259531775 ↗
9. Wilson MS, Valerio JA, Gottesfeld S (1995) Low platinum loading electrodes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells fabricated using thermoplastic ionomers. Electrochim Acta 40(3):355–36310.1016/0013-4686(94)00272-3 ↗
10. Jordan LR et al (2000) Diffusion layer parameters influencing optimal fuel cell performance. J Power Sources 86(1–2):250–25410.1016/S0378-7753(99)00489-9 ↗
11. Qi Z, Kaufman A (2002) Improvement of water management by a microporous sublayer for PEM fuel cells. J Power Sour 109(1):38–4610.1016/S0378-7753(02)00058-7 ↗
12. Lin G, Van Nguyen T (2005) Effect of thickness and hydrophobic polymer content of the gas diffusion layer on electrode flooding level in a PEMFC. J Electrochem Soc 152(10):A194210.1149/1.2006487 ↗
13. Latorrata S et al (2020) Graphene-based microporous layers for enhanced performance in PEM fuel cells. Mater Today: Proc 31:426–43210.1016/j.matpr.2020.02.823 ↗
14. Mariani M et al (2020) Characterization of novel graphene-based microporous layers for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells operating under low humidity and high temperature. Int J Hydrog Energy 45(11):7046–705810.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.12.213 ↗
15. Gonzalez E, Srinivasan S (1984) Electrochemistry of fuel cells for transportation applications. Int J Hydrog Energy 9(3):215–21810.1016/0360-3199(84)90121-6 ↗
16. Xie X et al (2018) Investigation of the effect of micro-porous layer on PEM fuel cell cold start operation. Renew Energy 117:125–13410.1016/j.renene.2017.10.039 ↗
17. Lee H-K et al (2004) A study on the characteristics of the diffusion layer thickness and porosity of the PEMFC. J Power Sour 131(1–2):200–20610.1016/j.jpowsour.2003.12.039 ↗
18. Somalu MR et al (2017) Screen-printing inks for the fabrication of solid oxide fuel cell films: A review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 75:426–43910.1016/j.rser.2016.11.008 ↗
19. Chen J, Matsuura T, Hori M (2004) Novel gas diffusion layer with water management function for PEMFC. J Power Sour 131(1–2):155–16110.1016/j.jpowsour.2004.01.007 ↗
20. Kim T, Lee S, Park H (2010) A study of water transport as a function of the micro-porous layer arrangement in PEMFCs. Int J Hydrog Energy 35(16):8631–864310.1016/j.ijhydene.2010.05.123 ↗
21. Kitahara T, Konomi T, Nakajima H (2010) Microporous layer coated gas diffusion layers for enhanced performance of polymer electrolyte fuel cells. J Power Sour 195(8):2202–221110.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.10.089 ↗
22. Kitahara T, Nakajima H, Mori K (2012) Hydrophilic and hydrophobic double microporous layer coated gas diffusion layer for enhancing performance of polymer electrolyte fuel cells under no-humidification at the cathode. J Power Sources 199:29–3610.1016/j.jpowsour.2011.10.002 ↗
23. Weber AZ, Newman J (2005) Effects of microporous layers in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. J Electrochem Soc 152(4):A67710.1149/1.1861194 ↗
24. Blanco M, Wilkinson DP (2014) Investigation of the effect of microporous layers on water management in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell using novel diagnostic methods. Int J Hydrog Energy 39(29):16390–1640410.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.07.147 ↗
25. Giorgi L et al (1998) Influence of the PTFE content in the diffusion layer of low-Pt loading electrodes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Electrochim Acta 43(24):3675–368010.1016/S0013-4686(98)00125-X ↗
26. Yan X et al (2015) A crack-free and super-hydrophobic cathode micro-porous layer for direct methanol fuel cells. Appl Energy 138:331–33610.1016/j.apenergy.2014.10.044 ↗
27. Orogbemi O et al (2018) Through-plane gas permeability of gas diffusion layers and microporous layer: effects of carbon loading and sintering. J Energy Inst 91(2):270–27810.1016/j.joei.2016.11.008 ↗
28. Abdelkareem MA, Tsujiguchi T, Nakagawa N (2010) Effect of black catalyst ionomer content on the performance of passive DMFC. J Power Sour 195(19):6287–629310.1016/j.jpowsour.2010.04.070 ↗
29. Chun JH et al (2011) Development of a novel hydrophobic/hydrophilic double micro porous layer for use in a cathode gas diffusion layer in PEMFC. Int J Hydrog Energy 36(14):8422–842810.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.04.038 ↗
30. Hunsom M et al (2011) Novel application of Hicon Black in PEMFC microporous sublayer: Effects of composition and subsequent membrane selection. Renew Energy 36(1):369–37310.1016/j.renene.2010.07.002 ↗
31. Lin S-Y, Chang M-H (2015) Effect of microporous layer composed of carbon nanotube and acetylene black on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell performance. Int J Hydrog Energy 40(24):7879–788510.1016/j.ijhydene.2014.10.146 ↗
32. Xie Z et al (2015) Carbon nanotubes grown in situ on carbon paper as a microporous layer for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Int J Hydrog Energy 40(29):8958–896510.1016/j.ijhydene.2015.04.129 ↗
33. Ozden A et al (2018) A graphene-based microporous layer for proton exchange membrane fuel cells: characterization and performance comparison. Renew Energy 126:485–49410.1016/j.renene.2018.03.065 ↗
34. Leeuwner MJ et al (2019) Graphene and reduced graphene oxide based microporous layers for high-performance proton-exchange membrane fuel cells under varied humidity operation. J Power Sources 423:192–20210.1016/j.jpowsour.2019.03.048 ↗
35. Wang X et al (2006) Micro-porous layer with composite carbon black for PEM fuel cells. Electrochim Acta 51(23):4909–491510.1016/j.electacta.2006.01.048 ↗
36. Chen L et al (2020) Structural design of gas diffusion layer for proton exchange membrane fuel cell at varying humidification. J Power Sources 467:22835510.1016/j.jpowsour.2020.228355 ↗
37. Lin G et al (2020) Preparation of graded microporous layers for enhanced water management in fuel cells. J Appl Polym Sci 137(47):4956410.1002/app.49564 ↗
38. Fan CC, Chang MH (2016) Improving proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance with carbon nanotubes as the material of cathode microporous layer. Int J Energy Res 40(2):181–18810.1002/er.3445 ↗
39. Simon C et al (2019) Interaction of pore size and hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity for improved oxygen and water transport through microporous layers. J Electrochem Soc 166(13):F102210.1149/2.1111913jes ↗
40. Antolini E (2012) Graphene as a new carbon support for low-temperature fuel cell catalysts. Appl Catal B 123:52–6810.1016/j.apcatb.2012.04.022 ↗
41. Najafabadi AT et al (2016) Electrochemically produced graphene for microporous layers in fuel cells. Chemsuschem 9(13):1689–169710.1002/cssc.201600351 ↗
42. Leeuwner M, Wilkinson D, Gyenge E (2015) Novel graphene foam microporous layers for PEM fuel cells: interfacial characteristics and comparative performance. Fuel Cells 15(6):790–80110.1002/fuce.201500031 ↗
43. Aradhana R, Mohanty S, Nayak SK (2018) Comparison of mechanical, electrical and thermal properties in graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide filled epoxy nanocomposite adhesives. Polymer 141:109–12310.1016/j.polymer.2018.03.005 ↗
44. Weissman SA, Anderson NG (2015) Design of experiments (DoE) and process optimization. A review of recent publications. Organic Process Res Develop. 19(11):1605–163310.1021/op500169m ↗
45. Ismail M et al (2013) Effect of PTFE loading of gas diffusion layers on the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells running at high-efficiency operating conditions. Int J Energy Res 37(13):1592–159910.1002/er.2968 ↗
46. Orogbemi O et al (2016) The effects of the composition of microporous layers on the permeability of gas diffusion layers used in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Int J Hydrog Energy 41(46):21345–2135110.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.09.160 ↗
47. Öztürk A et al (2017) Facilitation of water management in low Pt loaded PEM fuel cell by creating hydrophobic microporous layer with PTFE, FEP and PDMS polymers: effect of polymer and carbon amounts. Int J Hydrog Energy 42(33):21226–2124910.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.06.202 ↗
48. Moradizadeh L et al (2022) Fabrication and characterization of metal-based gas diffusion layer containing rGO and graphite for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Int J Energy Res 46(8):11027–1104010.1002/er.7903 ↗
49. Omrani R (2022) Gas diffusion layer for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. PEM Fuel Cells. Elsevier, pp 91–12210.1016/B978-0-12-823708-3.00017-1 ↗
50. Li H et al (2008) A review of water flooding issues in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell. J Power Sour 178(1):103–11710.1016/j.jpowsour.2007.12.068 ↗
51. Nguyen T (2006) Water management by material design and engineering for PEM fuel cells. ECS Trans 3(1):117110.1149/1.2356236 ↗
52. Mohan VB et al (2018) Role of chemical functional groups on thermal and electrical properties of various graphene oxide derivatives: a comparative x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. Mater Res Exp 5(3):03560410.1088/2053-1591/aab316 ↗
53. Rao S et al (2018) Reduced graphene oxide: effect of reduction on electrical conductivity. J Compos Sci 2(2):2510.3390/jcs2020025 ↗
54. Shen W, Li Z, Liu Y (2008) Surface chemical functional groups modification of porous carbon. Recent Patents Chem Eng 1(1):27–4010.2174/2211334710801010027 ↗
55. Zhou G et al (2015) Effects of oxygen element and oxygen-containing functional groups on surface wettability of coal dust with various metamorphic degrees based on XPS experiment. J Anal Methods Chem. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/46724210.1155/2015/467242 ↗