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Effect of Dual Porous Layers with Patterned Wettability on Low-Temperature Start Performance of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell

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  • Guozhuo Wang

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
    Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Low and Medium Grade Energy (Tianjin University), Ministry of Education, Tianjin 300350, China)

  • Yoshio Utaka

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
    Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Low and Medium Grade Energy (Tianjin University), Ministry of Education, Tianjin 300350, China)

  • Shixue Wang

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
    Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Low and Medium Grade Energy (Tianjin University), Ministry of Education, Tianjin 300350, China)

Abstract

The low-temperature start problem of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is a factor limiting their large-scale application. To improve the low-temperature start performance of a PEMFC, a novel microporous layer (MPL) and a gas diffusion layer (GDL) with planar wettability distribution, in which the hydrophilic and hydrophobic lines were arranged alternately in the in-plane direction, were investigated in this study. The influence of the dual planar-distributed wettability of the MPL and GDL on the normal temperature and low-temperature start performance of the PEMFC was investigated. Before performing the major experiment, the effect of the assembly pressure of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), which has a significant effect on the PEMFC performance, was examined and determined to use in the experiment. The experimental results show that the dual hybrid MPL and GDL can further prolong the operation time of the PEMFC at different below-freezing temperatures owing to efficient water management and thus significantly improve the low-temperature start performance of the PEMFC.

Suggested Citation

  • Guozhuo Wang & Yoshio Utaka & Shixue Wang, 2020. "Effect of Dual Porous Layers with Patterned Wettability on Low-Temperature Start Performance of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:14:p:3529-:d:382070
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhongmin Wan & Huawei Chang & Shuiming Shu & Yongxiang Wang & Haolin Tang, 2014. "A Review on Cold Start of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells," Energies, MDPI, vol. 7(5), pages 1-25, May.
    2. Wong, A.K.C. & Ge, N. & Shrestha, P. & Liu, H. & Fahy, K. & Bazylak, A., 2019. "Polytetrafluoroethylene content in standalone microporous layers: Tradeoff between membrane hydration and mass transport losses in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 549-560.
    3. Huo, Sen & Jiao, Kui & Park, Jae Wan, 2019. "On the water transport behavior and phase transition mechanisms in cold start operation of PEM fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233, pages 776-788.
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