Performance of gas diffusion layer from coconut waste for proton exchange membrane fuel cell

The performance of Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL) synthesized from coconut waste. Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL), produced from coconut waste, as a part of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) component, has been characterized. In order to know the performance, the commercial products were used as the remaining parts of PEMFC. The proposed GDL possesses 69% porosity for diffusion of Hydrogen fuel and Oxygen, as well as for transporting electron. With the electrical conductivity of 500 mS. cm(-1), it also has hydrophobic properties, which is important to avoid the reaction with water, with the contact angle of 139 degrees. The 5 x 5 cm(2) GDL paper was co-assembled with the catalyst, Nafion membrane, bipolar plate, current collector, end plate to obtain single Stack PEMFC. The performance was examined by flowing fuel and gas with the flow rate of 500 and 1000 ml. min(-1), respectively, and analyse the I-V polarization curve. The measurements were carried out at 30, 35, and 40 degrees C for 5 cycles to ensure the repeatability. The results shows that the current density and the maximum power density reaches 203 mA. cm(-2) and 143 mW. cm(-2), respectively, with a given voltage 0.6 V, at 40 degrees C.