Computation of oxygen diffusion properties of the gas diffusion medium-microporous layer assembly from the combination of X-ray microtomography and focused ion beam three dimensional digital images

The effective diffusion properties of a gas diffusion layer (GDL) made of the assembly of a fibrous gas diffusion medium (GDM) and a microporous layer (MPL) are characterized from numerical simulations on reconstructed images obtained from combining micro X-ray computed tomography and focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM). Using a multiscale approach, the MPL effective diffusion tensor is characterized from the FIB-SEM reconstructed 3D images considering Knudsen and Fickian diffusions. The GDM-MPL assembly effective through-plane diffusion coefficient is computed via a mixed approach combing a continuum description for the MPL and the explicit consideration of the MPL cracks and GDM fibers. The impact of cracks in the MPL is thus evaluated. A diffusive resistance model is developed to evaluate the impact of the MPL penetration into the GDM and the impact of the GDM compressibility.

Automated summary

The effective diffusion properties of a gas diffusion layer composed of fibrous gas diffusion medium (GDM) and a microporous layer (MPL) were characterized using numerical simulations and advanced imaging techniques. The MPL's diffusion tensor was determined using reconstructed 3D images obtained from micro X-ray computed tomography and focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy. The through-plane diffusion coefficient of the GDM-MPL assembly was computed considering the presence of MPL cracks and GDM fibers. The impact of MPL penetration into the GDM and GDM compressibility were also evaluated.