On the water transport mechanism through the microporous layers of <i>operando</i> polymer electrolyte fuel cells probed directly by X-ray tomographic microscopy
Yen-Chun Chen, Tim Dörenkamp, Christoph Csoklich, Anne Berger, Federica Marone, Jens Eller, Thomas J. Schmidt, Félix N. Büchi
Abstract
70%. Based on these XTM results, it is confirmed that in the high porosity MPLs, vapor transport was non-negligible even at high humidity conditions. Therefore, on top of the widely discussed MPL pore size and its distribution, it is proposed that the lower thermal conductivity from the high porosity of MPLs can also be a main cause of promoted vapor transport, reducing water saturation near the CL.
Topics & Concepts
Microporous materialMaterials scienceSaturation (graph theory)Water vaporPorosityElectrolyteWater transportRelative humidityChemical engineeringPolymerAnalytical Chemistry (journal)Composite materialChemistryWater flowChromatographyOrganic chemistryEnvironmental engineeringThermodynamicsCombinatoricsElectrodePhysical chemistryMathematicsPhysicsEngineeringFuel Cells and Related MaterialsAdvancements in Solid Oxide Fuel CellsElectrocatalysts for Energy Conversion