Experimental and modeling studies on the effect of inclusion of hydrophobic nanoparticles in cathode microporous and catalyst layer for enhanced water management in PEMFCs

Abstract

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are promising candidates for the future power sources for both stationary and portable applications. However, challenges in fuel storage, performance losses due to durability, kinetic and thermal limitations are the major barriers prior to commercialization of PEMFCs. Water and thermal management have great impact on the performance loss due to kinetic limitations. In this study, it is proposed to enhance water rejection mechanism from the cell by incorporating hydrophobic nanoparticles like PTFE or FEP in the cathode microporous and catalyst layer of the cell. Creating hydrophilic and hydrophobic pathways for the flow of species will help facilitate the water transport throughout the cell. Water saturation and temperature profiles are simulated with a transient, 2-D two-phase thermal model including a detailed agglomerate model considering a multi-step reaction pathway for the oxygen reduction reaction in the cathode catalyst layer of the PEM fuel cell. Copyright © (2014) by the Committee of WHEC2014 All rights reserved.