Journal
POLYMERS
Volume 13, Issue 12, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/polym13121976
Keywords
PEMFC; proton exchange membrane; catalyst layer; interface; patterned membrane
Categories
Funding
- UK EPSRC within the CDT in Fuel Cells and their Fuels [EP/L015749/1]
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This study demonstrates that patterned membranes, particularly the sharklet pattern, can significantly enhance the power performance of PEMFCs at low relative humidity conditions.
High performing proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) that can operate at low relative humidity is a continuing technical challenge for PEMFC developers. In this work, micro-patterned membranes are demonstrated at the cathode side by solution casting techniques using stainless steel moulds with laser-imposed periodic surface structures (LIPSS). Three types of patterns, lotus, lines, and sharklet, are investigated for their influence on the PEMFC power performance at varying humidity conditions. The experimental results show that the cathode electrolyte pattern, in all cases, enhances the fuel cell power performance at 100% relative humidity (RH). However, only the sharklet pattern exhibits a significant improvement at 25% RH, where a peak power density of 450 mW cm(-2) is recorded compared with 150 mW cm(-2) of the conventional flat membrane. The improvements are explored based on high-frequency resistance, electrochemically active surface area (ECSA), and hydrogen crossover by in situ membrane electrode assembly (MEA) testing.
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