Work

Stratified Porous Transport Layers for Unitized Reversible Fuel Cells

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Unitized reversible fuel cells (URFCs) are promising grid-scale energy storage and conversion technologies that can enable increased deployment of intermittent renewable energy sources. URFCs operate in fuel cell mode for power generation and water electrolyzer mode for hydrogen production, but the two operational modes have conflicting transport requirements, limiting the round-trip efficiency. In this study, we report stratification of porous transport layers (PTLs) with different architectures that facilitate gas and water transport in both operational modes. The stratified PTL is composed of two or more layers of titanium felts and/or sinters. Combination of layers with different porosities produces a PTL with a hierarchical porosity gradient, enabling faster transport and increased performance in both operating modes.

Source: ACS Applied Energy Materials

DOI: 10.1021/acsaem.4c02273

Authors: Abdurrahman Yilmaz, Siddharth Komini Babu, Jack Kissane, Ugur Pasaogullari, Jacob S. Spendelow

Institutions: Los Alamos National Laboratory, University of Connecticut

Language: English

Topic: Fuel Cells and Related Materials

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500