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The role of the micro-porous layer (MPL) in fuel cells: neutron imaging and advanced electrochemical analysis study.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2013

Pierre Boillat ,
Pierre Oberholzer ,
Eberhard H. Lehmann ,
Günther G. Scherer  and
Alexander Wokaun
Pierre Boillat
Affiliation:
Electrochemistry Laboratory (ECL), Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI), 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
Pierre Oberholzer
Affiliation:
Electrochemistry Laboratory (ECL), Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI), 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
Eberhard H. Lehmann
Affiliation:
Neutron Imaging and Activation group (NIAG), Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI), 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
Günther G. Scherer
Affiliation:
Electrochemistry Laboratory (ECL), Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI), 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
Alexander Wokaun
Affiliation:
General Energy Department (ENE), Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI), 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
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Abstract

The effect of the micro-porous layer (MPL) in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) was studied by a combination of in situ visualization of the liquid water distribution and advanced electrochemical analysis using helox and O2 pulses. Four cells with and without MPLs on the anode and cathode side were tested. Visualization studies showed that the significant changes in performance observed when using an MPL on the cathode side cannot be related to a reduction of the water content in the cathode side diffusion layer (GDL). The helox/O2 pulse analysis indicated that two different mechanisms are responsible for the performance loss without an MPL.

Keywords

energy generationwaterneutron irradiation
Type
Articles
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1528: Symposium VV – Advanced Materials Exploration with Neutrons and Synchrotron X-Rays , 2013 , mrsf12-1528-vv04-03
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2013

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References

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