Effect of cathode structure on planar free-breathing PEMFC

被引:50
作者
Hottinen, T [1 ]
Himanen, I [1 ]
Lund, P [1 ]
机构
[1] Helsinki Univ Technol, Lab Adv Energy Syst, FIN-02015 Helsinki, Finland
关键词
PEMFC; planar design; free-breathing; cathode structure; liquid water saturation;
D O I
10.1016/j.jpowsour.2004.06.044
中图分类号
O64 [物理化学(理论化学)、化学物理学];
学科分类号
070304 ; 081704 ;
摘要
The effect of cathode structure on the performance of planar free-breathing fuel cell is studied. Three different types of gas diffusion backings and current collector plates on the cathode were used. The gas diffusion backings used were thick carbon sheet, titanium sinter, and carbon paper. Difference between current collector plates was the size of the openings between current collecting ribs. Results showed that with thicker gas diffusion backings the structure of the current collector had only some effect on the cell performance but with thin carbon paper the effect was significant. Very high power densities for free-breathing fuel cell were achieved with thin gas diffusion backing with the record of approximately 360 mWcm(-2). However, the cell was also vulnerable for flooding as there was liquid water observed on the cathode surface. Despite the liquid water saturation it seems that this kind of cell design may be suitable especially for portable applications. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
引用
收藏
页码:205 / 210
页数:6
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