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Titanium nitride doped flexible carbon nanofiber membranes as self-supporting microporous layers for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Author

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  • Tang, Guofeng
  • Chang, Zhilong
  • Chen, Hui
  • Shen, Zhigang
  • Li, Guang

Abstract

The gas diffusion layer (GDL) plays a pivotal role in optimizing proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performance. This study presents a novel flexible titanium nitride doped carbon nanofiber membrane (TiN-CNFM) as a self-supporting microporous layer (MPL) that significantly simplifies GDL assembly processes and improves commercial viability. TiN-CNFM is prepared through a systematic fabrication process involving electrospinning of a polyacrylonitrile/tetrabutyl titanate precursor solution, followed by sequential pre-oxidation and carbonization treatments. TiN-CNFM exhibits excellent flexibility, hydrophobicity, conductivity, and optimal pore structure, which allow direct lamination with carbon paper layer by layer to assemble membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The thickness of TiN-CNFM can be precisely regulated by controlling the spinning time. When the thickness of TiN-CNFM is 15 μm, the corresponding MEA achieves the highest peak power density of 1525.1 mW cm−2 at 60 % RH, significantly surpassing than that of the conventional carbon black MPL (1144.4 mW cm−2). In addition, the hydrophobicity and mechanical strength of TiN-CNFM are enhanced by a simple polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) impregnation, which further enhances the output performance of MEA. Furthermore, the feasibility of using TiN-CNFM with a thickness of 150 μm as an integrated GDL directly is explored.

Suggested Citation

  • Tang, Guofeng & Chang, Zhilong & Chen, Hui & Shen, Zhigang & Li, Guang, 2026. "Titanium nitride doped flexible carbon nanofiber membranes as self-supporting microporous layers for proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 256(PI).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:256:y:2026:i:pi:s0960148125024061
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.124742
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    References listed on IDEAS

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