Mass transfer layer for liquid fuel cells

Yazici M. S.

JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES, vol.166, no.2, pp.424-429, 2007 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 166 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2007
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2006.12.065
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.424-429
  • Keywords: mass transfer layer, diffusion, DMFC, expanded graphite, perforation, DMFC
  • Istanbul Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Performance of a new type of mass transfer layer (MTL) compared to a commercial material has been shown in single fuel cell testing. GRAKELL((R)) natural graphite MTL is used as a cathode diffusion media along with carbon cloth. Its chemically modified permeable structure is diffusion limited at high current densities, independent of temperature, while perforated structure provides temperature dependent performance increases. The impact of open area variation in perforated mass transfer layer (PMTL) is demonstrated at high current densities and shows advantages over commercial material at room temperature operation. Performance reaches about 25 mW cm(-2) at room temperature testing with maximum current density around 250 mA cm(-2). Better performance is attributed to large openings for liquid transfer with PMTL compare to ELAT. Being able to design perforations on expanded graphite material may also play role in developing passive fuel supply systems for future liquid fuel power sources. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.