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Research Article

The influence of patterned microporous layer on the proton exchange membrane fuel cell performances

Shunzhong Wang1,2Kadi Hu3Wei Chen2Yali Cao2Linan Wang2Zhichang Wang2Lirui Cui2Mingzheng Zhou2Wei Zhu1,4Hui Li3( )Zhongbin Zhuang1,3,4( )
State Key Lab of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
State Power Investment Corporation Hydrogen Energy Company, Ltd., Beijing 102600, China
Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
Beijing Key Laboratory of Energy Environmental Catalysis, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
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Graphical Abstract

The patterned microporous layer provides good water retaining ability, leading to higher proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance under low humidity and low current density.

Abstract

The ordered membrane electrode assembly (MEA) has gained much attention because of its potential in improving mass transfer. Here, a comprehensive study was conducted on the influence of the patterned microporous layer (MPL) on the proton exchange membrane fuel cell performances. When patterned MPL is employed, grooves are generated between the catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer. It is found that the grooves do not increase the contact resistance, and it is beneficial for water retention. When the MEA works under low humidity scenarios, the MEA with patterned MPL illustrated higher performance, due to the reduced inner resistance caused by improved water retention, leading to increased ionic conductivity. However, when the humidity is higher than 80% or working under high current density, the generated water accumulated in the grooves and hindered the oxygen mass transport, leading to a reduced MEA performance.

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Nano Research
Pages 6095-6101
Cite this article:
Wang S, Hu K, Chen W, et al. The influence of patterned microporous layer on the proton exchange membrane fuel cell performances. Nano Research, 2024, 17(7): 6095-6101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-024-6569-5
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Received: 13 January 2024
Revised: 07 February 2024
Accepted: 13 February 2024
Published: 21 March 2024
© Tsinghua University Press 2024
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