Optimizing catalyst layer structure design for improved water management of anion exchange membrane fuel cells

Xiao，Cailin1,2; Huang，Haodong1,2; Zhang，Zijie1,2; Jiang，Yuting1,2; Wang，Guanxiong3; Liu，Hongxiao4; Liu，Yu4; Xing，Lei5; Zeng，Lin1,2

2024-06-30

10.1016/j.jpowsour.2024.234509

Journal of Power Sources   影响因子和分区

0378-7753

Recent research into anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) highlights challenges in achieving high performance, primarily due to poor water management. This study delves into how the structure and thickness of the catalyst layer, specifically the pore design, affect AEMFC efficiency. Our study reveals that H/O AEMFC performance is significantly influenced by the distribution and structure of anode porous sizes, which affects water generation and transport kinetics. It has become evident that, instead of oxygen availability at the cathode, the primary factors constraining AEMFC performance are water supply through back-diffusion and water flooding at the anode. Notably, by controlling the carbon content of the anode catalyst layer to create gradient pores, we successfully alleviate mass transport limitations of gases in AEMFCs, while simultaneously improving water transport. Furthermore, insights from surface water transport and detailed phase field model analysis further confirmed that these gradient pores enhance water transportation rates. These results indicate that the fabrication of a porosity-gradient anode catalyst layer using carbon powder significantly increased the limit current density by 24 % (from 4.10 W cm to 5.20 W cm) and the power density by 34.6 % (from 1.56 W cm to 2.10 W cm), compared to the catalyst layer without carbon powder.

Anion exchange membrane fuel cells Gradient pores Pore structure Reverse diffusion Water transport

SCI ; EI

英语

第一 ; 通讯

20241615942425

Anodes ; Carbon ; Catalysts ; Ion exchange membranes ; Ions ; Structural design ; Surface waters ; Water management ; Water supply

Structural Design, General:408.1 ; Surface Water:444.1 ; Water Supply Systems:446.1 ; Electron Tubes:714.1 ; Chemical Plants and Equipment:802.1 ; Chemical Agents and Basic Industrial Chemicals:803 ; Chemical Products Generally:804 ; Physical Properties of Gases, Liquids and Solids:931.2

MATERIALS SCIENCE

2-s2.0-85190554857

Scopus

1.Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Advanced Energy Storage,Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,518055,China
2.SUSTech Energy Institute for Carbon Neutrality,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,518055,China
3.Shenzhen Academy of Aerospace Technology,Shenzhen,518057,China
4.College of Science,Shenyang University of Chemical Technology,Shenyang,110142,China
5.School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering,University of Surrey,Guildford,GU2 7XH,United Kingdom

Xiao，Cailin,Huang，Haodong,Zhang，Zijie,et al. Optimizing catalyst layer structure design for improved water management of anion exchange membrane fuel cells[J]. Journal of Power Sources,2024,606.

Xiao，Cailin.,Huang，Haodong.,Zhang，Zijie.,Jiang，Yuting.,Wang，Guanxiong.,...&Zeng，Lin.(2024).Optimizing catalyst layer structure design for improved water management of anion exchange membrane fuel cells.Journal of Power Sources,606.

Xiao，Cailin,et al."Optimizing catalyst layer structure design for improved water management of anion exchange membrane fuel cells".Journal of Power Sources 606(2024).