Modifying the Catalyst Layer Using Polyvinyl Alcohol for the Performance Improvement of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells under Low Humidity Operations

被引:16
作者
Jienkulsawad, Prathak [1 ]
Chen, Yong-Song [2 ,3 ]
Arpornwichanop, Amornchai [1 ]
机构
[1] Chulalongkorn Univ, Fac Engn, Dept Chem Engn, Ctr Excellence Proc & Energy Syst Engn, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
[2] Natl Chung Cheng Univ, Dept Mech Engn, Chiayi 62102, Chiayi Cty, Taiwan
[3] Natl Chung Cheng Univ, Adv Inst Mfg High Tech Innovat, Chiayi 62102, Chiayi Cty, Taiwan
关键词
proton exchange membrane fuel cell; humidifier; membrane electrode assembly; polyvinyl alcohol; COMPOSITE MEMBRANES; ANODE; DESIGN;
D O I
10.3390/polym12091865
中图分类号
O63 [高分子化学(高聚物)];
学科分类号
070305 ; 080501 ; 081704 ;
摘要
A proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system for the application of unmanned aerial vehicles is equipped without humidifiers and the cathode channels of the stack are open to the environment due to limited weight available for power sources. As a result, the PEMFC is operated under low humidity conditions, causing membrane dehydration, low performance, and degradation. To keep the generated water within the fuel cell to humidify the membrane, in this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is employed in the fabrication of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). The effect of PVA content, either sprayed on the gas diffusion layer (GDL) or mixed in the catalyst layer (CL), on the MEA performance is compared under various humidity conditions. The results show that MEA performance is increased with the addition of PVA either on the GDL or in the CL, especially for non-humidified anode conditions. The result suggested that 0.03% PVA in the anode CL and 0.1% PVA on the GDL can improve the MEA performance by approximately 30%, under conditions of a non-humidified anode and a room-temperature-humidified cathode. However, MEAs with PVA in the anode CL show better durability than those with PVA on the GDL according to measurement with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
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页数:12
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