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UNIVERSITY OF BUCHAREST
FACULTY OF PHYSICS Guest
2024-11-23 17:58 |
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Conference: Bucharest University Faculty of Physics 2023 Meeting
Section: Physics and Technology of Renewable and Alternative Energy Sources
Title:
Influence of the microporous layer on the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell
Authors:
Adina DOBRIN(1), Alexandra TREFILOV(2), Adriana BĂLAN(1)
Affiliation:
1) University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics, 3Nano-SAE Research Centre, 405 Atomistilor str., PO Box MG-38, Bucharest-Măgurele, Romania
2) National R&D Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics (INFLPR)
E-mail
dadinadiana1999@yahoo.com
Keywords:
microporous layer, proton exchange membrane fuel cell
Abstract:
Fuel cells are electrochemical generators that convert energy from chemical reactions into electricity, with heat and water (in the case of hydrogen and air fuel cells) as by-products. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells are electrochemical devices powered by hydrogen oxidised at the anode and oxygen reduced at the cathode (redox reaction). The resulting protons in the anode area pass through the proton exchange membrane to the cathode. As the membrane is not electrically conductive, the electrons generated by the hydrogen reaction pass through the external circuit and generate an electric current. The gas diffusion layer plays a key role in the operation of fuel cells, ensuring both the efficient diffusion of reactants to the catalyst layer and the transport of electrons to and from the catalyst layer. We propose an improved microporous layer consisting of carbon nanowalls, i.e. vertical walls of graphene, deposited using high frequency plasma assisted chemical vapour deposition. Such materials with improved properties over the usual carbonaceous materials, high porosity, stability, considerable durability or high hydrophobicity, open new approaches in the evolution of electrochemical devices. Single cell tests of the fabricated membrane-electrode assembly with carbon nanowalls as microporous layers have indicated improved performance comparable to industrial quality membrane assemblies, 500 mW cm-2 mg-1 cathodic Pt load at 80 ◦C and 80% RH. Furthermore, degradation processes in terms of catalyst electrochemical active area and fuel-hydrogen crossover are addressed.
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