Aiming the water transport issues of anion exchange membrane fuel cells by introducing hydrophobic carbon nanotube diffusion layer

Zhang，Zijie1,2; Xiao，Cailin1,2; Huang，Haodong1,2; Haq，Mahmood ul1,2; Li，Zheng1,2; Zeng，Lin1,2

2024-10-01

10.1016/j.jpowsour.2024.235123

Journal of Power Sources   影响因子和分区

0378-7753

The gas diffusion layer (GDL) enhances the transport efficiency of reaction gases and facilitates the removal of accumulated liquid water, thereby improving water management in anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are recognized as one of the promising materials to optimize mass transport within GDLs. In this study, we successfully synthesized an abundance of CNTs on the surface of commercial gas diffusion media. The as-prepared CNT layer exhibits exceptionally high hydrophobic properties and forms a hierarchically hydrophobic structure combined with the gas diffusion media, effectively enhancing the mass transfer of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and reducing ohmic impedance. Under supersaturation conditions, the power density of the MEA containing CNTs reaches 1031.7 mW/cm, significantly higher than the 760.64 mW/cm observed for the commercial GDL. Further testing demonstrates that the MEA containing CNTs exhibits a limiting current density of 2507.4 mA/cm, which is much superior to the benchmark MEA with the commercial GDL (1591 mA/cm). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis reveals that the mass transfer resistance of MEAs with CNTs is lower than that of MEAs with the commercial GDL. More importantly, the phase-field modeling is performed to simulate the transport of the liquid water in the hierarchical GDL.

Anion exchange membrane fuel cell Carbon nanotube Gas diffusion layer High performance Water management

SCI ; EI

英语

第一 ; 通讯

20243116793009

Alkaline fuel cells ; Diffusion in gases ; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy ; Gases ; Hydrophobicity ; Ion exchange membranes ; Ions ; More electric aircraft ; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) ; Water management

Aircraft, General:652.1 ; Fuel Cells:702.2 ; Nanotechnology:761 ; Chemistry:801 ; Chemical Plants and Equipment:802.1 ; Physical Properties of Gases, Liquids and Solids:931.2 ; Crystalline Solids:933.1

MATERIALS SCIENCE

2-s2.0-85199865866

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

Zhang，Zijie,Xiao，Cailin,Huang，Haodong,et al. Aiming the water transport issues of anion exchange membrane fuel cells by introducing hydrophobic carbon nanotube diffusion layer[J]. Journal of Power Sources,2024,616.

Zhang，Zijie,Xiao，Cailin,Huang，Haodong,Haq，Mahmood ul,Li，Zheng,&Zeng，Lin.(2024).Aiming the water transport issues of anion exchange membrane fuel cells by introducing hydrophobic carbon nanotube diffusion layer.Journal of Power Sources,616.

Zhang，Zijie,et al."Aiming the water transport issues of anion exchange membrane fuel cells by introducing hydrophobic carbon nanotube diffusion layer".Journal of Power Sources 616(2024).