A review on gas diffusion layer in proton exchange membrane fuel cell: Materials and manufacturing

A promising alternative to fossil fuel energy is the fuel cell technology. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are widely used in electric vehicle and mobile power generation fields. There are several components in the PEM fuel cell, namely the gas diffusion layer (GDL), PEM, catalyst layer (CL) and bipolar plate (BPP). The GDL is one of the key components of a PEM fuel cell and acts as a distributor of reagents, current conductor, water manager and a CL support. This paper presents an analysis of the materials and fabrication technologies of the GDL in the PEM fuel cell. A summary of the main materials for manufacturing the macroporous substrate (MPS) and microporous layer (MPL) of GDL was presented. Advanced manufacturing methods were described as single layer manufacturing, double layer manufacturing and multilayer manufacturing. A brief overview of the materials and manufacturing processes of BPP and CL were also presented. Future research directions have also been proposed.

Automated summary

Fuel cell technology, especially proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, has emerged as a promising alternative to fossil fuel energy in electric vehicle and mobile power generation fields. Among the key components of PEM fuel cells, the gas diffusion layer (GDL) plays a significant role in distributing reagents, managing water, conducting current and supporting the catalyst layer (CL). This paper provides an analysis of the materials and fabrication technologies of GDL. It covers the main materials used in macroporous substrate (MPS) and microporous layer (MPL), as well as the advanced manufacturing methods. It also briefly discusses the materials and manufacturing processes of bipolar plates (BPP) and catalyst layers (CL), while proposing future research directions.