Year: 2018
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Custom microporous layers (MPLs) were fabricated and designed to enhance fuel cell performance and water management at two specific operating conditions, operation without anode humidification and operation at high current densities. The two studies were aimed at addressing two challenges of water management, i.e., membrane dehydration and cathode liquid water flooding. The fuel cell performance and impedance measurements were paired with synchrotron X-ray visualization to quantify cell potential, membrane and mass transport resistances, and liquid water within gas diffusion layers (GDLs). The application of hydrophilic MPLs decreased the membrane resistance, and increased liquid water retention at the catalyst layer-MPL interface. MPLs with spatially graded PTFE content reduced the cathode GDL liquid water accumulation and oxygen transport resistance. Both MPLs led to increased fuel cell performance. The knowledge gained from this thesis can inform the design of next-generation fuel cell materials that further improve cell performance at desired operating conditions.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Pranay Shrestha
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2911332884