Using SiO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; Nanopowders in Anode Catalyst Layer to Improve the Performance of a  Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell at  Low Humidity

A proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system for the application of unmanned aerial vehicles is equipped without humidifiers and the cathode channels of the stack are open to the environment due to limited weight available for power sources. As a result, the PEMFC is operated under low humidity conditions, causing membrane dehydration, low performance, and degradation. To keep the generated water within the fuel cell to humidify the membrane, in this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is employed in the fabrication of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). The effect of PVA content, either sprayed on the gas diffusion layer (GDL) or mixed in the catalyst layer (CL), on the MEA performance is compared under various humidity conditions. The results show that MEA performance is increased with the addition of PVA either on the GDL or in the CL, especially for non-humidified anode conditions. The result suggested that 0.03% PVA in the anode CL and 0.1% PVA on the GDL can improve the MEA performance by approximately 30%, under conditions of a non-humidified anode and a room-temperature-humidified cathode. However, MEAs with PVA in the anode CL show better durability than those with PVA on the GDL according to measurement with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

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Improvement of proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance in low-humidity conditions by adding hygroscopic agarose powder to the catalyst layer

Journal of Power Sources ◽

10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.08.132 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 273 ◽

pp. 168-173 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Sanying Hou ◽

Shijun Liao ◽

Ziang Xiong ◽

Haobin Zou ◽

Dai Dang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cell ◽

Proton Exchange Membrane ◽

Catalyst Layer ◽

Proton Exchange ◽

Cell Performance ◽

Fuel Cell Performance ◽

Low Humidity ◽

Exchange Membrane

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Addition of sulfonated silicon dioxide on an anode catalyst layer to improve the performance of a self-humidifying proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Functional Materials Letters ◽

10.1142/s1793604716500259 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 09 (02) ◽

pp. 1650025 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Chien-Liang Lin ◽

Shih-Chieh Hsu ◽

Wei-Yu Ho

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cells ◽

Fuel Cell ◽

Proton Exchange Membrane ◽

Catalyst Layer ◽

Proton Exchange ◽

Electrical Performance ◽

Cell Reaction ◽

Anode Catalyst ◽

Water Contact ◽

Exchange Membrane

Sulfonated SiO2 was added on an anode catalyst layer to manufacture a hygroscopic electrode for self-humidifying proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The inherent humidity of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) determines the electrical performance of PEMFCs. To maintain the high moisture content of the PEM, self-humidifying PEMFCs can use the water produced by the fuel cell reaction and, thus, do not require external humidification. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and water contact angle measurement tests were performed to characterize the structures and properties of sulfonated SiO2 and the related electrodes, and the electric current and voltage (I–V) performance curve tests for the fuel cells were conducted under differing gas humidification conditions. When 0.01[Formula: see text]mg/cm2 of sulfonated SiO2 was added, the electrical performance of the fuel cells (50[Formula: see text]C) increased 29% and 59% when the fuel cell reaction gases were humidified at 70[Formula: see text]C and 50[Formula: see text]C, respectively.

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