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New insights for the methanol transport properties within anode gas diffusion layer of direct methanol fuel cell

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  • Wen, Yajing
  • Sun, Ruili
  • Zhang, Zinan
  • Wei, Wei
  • Xu, Xinlong
  • Ji, Feng
  • Wang, Shaorong

Abstract

Methanol transport properties within the anode gas diffusion layer (AGDL) significantly affect electrochemical reaction processes, thereby limiting the performance of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). However, the inherent relationships between AGDL structure parameters and methanol transport properties have remained unclear, presenting a major challenge for optimizing the performance of DMFCs. In this study, the methanol diffusivity within the AGDL is investigated via the fractal theory in combination with structure parameters of AGDLs, and then the methanol accumulation phenomenon is found within H24 GDL with optimal thickness (214 μm) and wettability (132°), yet low porosity (0.66) and high tortuosity (1.5). Due to the enhancement in the methanol oxidation reaction rate and decrease in the overpotential loss for the elevated methanol concentration of the anode catalyst layer, the DMFC fabricated with H24 GDL shows excellent performance with a peak power density of 83 mW cm−2, which is 36 % and 48 % greater than that of DMFC equipped with SGL 29BC GDL and XC-72 GDL.

Suggested Citation

  • Wen, Yajing & Sun, Ruili & Zhang, Zinan & Wei, Wei & Xu, Xinlong & Ji, Feng & Wang, Shaorong, 2025. "New insights for the methanol transport properties within anode gas diffusion layer of direct methanol fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 339(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:339:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225047292
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.139087
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    References listed on IDEAS

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