Accelerated degradation of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell gas diffusion layers I. Methodology and surface characterization

Liu H, George MG, Messerschmidt M, Zeis R, Kramer D, Scholta J, Bazylak A (2017)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

Journal of The Electrochemical Society Electrochemical Society

Book Volume: 164

Pages Range: F695-F703

Journal Issue: 7

DOI: 10.1149/2.0071707jes

Abstract

In this work, an ex situ accelerated carbon-corrosion-based ageing methodology is presented for stand-alone gas diffusion layers (GDLs). Pristine GDLs were subjected to carbon corrosion (degradation) via submersion in a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solution. The microporous layer (MPL) experiences up to nine times the loss in carbon mass compared to the carbon fiber substrate. The hydrophobicity of the GDL is also degraded as evidenced by a reduction in the surface contact angle, and this loss of hydrophobicity is associated with surface corrosion and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) degradation. Performance testing reveals increases in mass transport losses for aged GDLs, which is a phenomenon that is attributed to the reduction in GDL hydrophobicity.

Authors with CRIS profile

Roswitha Zeis

Involved external institutions

University of Toronto CA Canada (CA) Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung (ZSW) DE Germany (DE) Helmholtz Institut Ulm DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Liu, H., George, M.G., Messerschmidt, M., Zeis, R., Kramer, D., Scholta, J., & Bazylak, A. (2017). Accelerated degradation of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell gas diffusion layers I. Methodology and surface characterization. Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 164(7), F695-F703. https://doi.org/10.1149/2.0071707jes

MLA:

Liu, Hang, et al. "Accelerated degradation of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell gas diffusion layers I. Methodology and surface characterization." Journal of The Electrochemical Society 164.7 (2017): F695-F703.

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