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Integrated gas diffusion layer assisted hydrogen fuel cell performance improvement

Word：[Big][Middle][Small] 2023/10/17 Viewed：

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells, also known as hydrogen fuel cells, have attracted much attention due to their advantages of high efficiency, environmental friendliness, and mild working conditions. However, it currently faces weak gas mass transfer and water management issues, resulting in a lower volume to power ratio. Recently, the reporter learned from the Chinese Academy of Sciences Suzhou Institute of Nanotechnology and Nanobionics that the researcher team of the Institute Zhou Xiaochun designed and prepared a new integrated gas diffusion layer with wavy channels and micro channel ridges using laser engraving technology and Dongli carbon paper as the substrate. It has a rich porous structure and excellent gas mass transfer and water management capabilities, which can improve the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Recently, the research paper was published in the international journal "Progress in Science".

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells are composed of flow field plates, gas diffusion layers, microporous layers, catalytic layers, proton exchange membranes and other components, and can be used for transportation vehicles such as electric vehicles, electric bicycles, electric tricycles, and small power stations. The gas diffusion layer is located between the flow field plate and the catalytic layer, playing a role in conducting electricity, supporting membrane electrodes, mass transfer, and water management in fuel cells. During the operation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells, the reaction gas is transferred to the catalytic layer through the gas diffusion layer, and the water generated by the catalytic layer is discharged through the gas diffusion layer. The mass transfer of reactive gas and the discharge of water directly affect the electrode performance of the membrane, and poor gas mass transfer and water management capabilities can lead to a decrease in the electrode performance of the membrane.

At present, the gas diffusion layer is usually composed of a substrate layer and a microporous layer, among which the materials that make up the substrate layer are generally carbon paper, carbon cloth, etc. After years of accumulation, Zhou Xiaochun's team started with the fuel cell structure, continuously adjusted and optimized it, and finally prepared a flow field structure on carbon paper using laser engraving method, resulting in a new integrated gas diffusion layer. This new integrated gas diffusion layer combines the functions of the flow field plate and gas diffusion layer in traditional proton exchange membrane fuel cells, effectively solving the problems of weak mass transfer and water management in traditional fuel cells. In the future, the team hopes to continue in-depth research in the field of integrated gas diffusion layers and widely apply them to proton exchange membrane fuel cells and other energy converter components.

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