GAS PERMEABILITY AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY PROPERTIES OF A NOVEL GAS DIFFUSION LAYER OF PEM FUEL CELLS

Gas diffusion layer (GDL) is one of the essential component of Proton Exchange membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs). In this research, two different methods used for production of Carbon papers (CPs) of GDL. In this research with two methods (mixing method) and (fabric method) the carbon paper or GDL are prepared. The fillers of these composites are expanded graphite and phenolic polymer as binder. The characterization is performed by maximum pore size, mean pore size, permeability, electrical conductivity, flexibility, and performance (I-V) curve. The results show that mixing method resulting in a higher electrical conductivity, pore size, and permeability, as well as I-V curve similar to Toray paper. In addition, the cost estimates and flexibility test show that both fabric and mixing methods results in a much lower cost, due to removing the graphitization and carbonization steps, and more flexible samples in comparison to Toray paper.

GAS PERMEABILITY AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY PROPERTIES OF A NOVEL GAS DIFFUSION LAYER OF PEM FUEL CELLS Keywords:

Electrical conductivity , Permeability , Pore size characterization , Gas Diffusion Layer , PEM fuel cell