Carbon nanotubes based gas diffusion layers in direct methanol fuel cells

Y. Gao, G.Q. Sun, S.L. Wang and S. Zhu

Energy, 2010, vol. 35, issue 3, 1455-1459

Abstract: A carbon nanotube based gas diffusion layer (CNT-GDL) for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) was prepared by sintering the wet carbon paper made of CNT, polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fibre (PCF) and PTFE, completely replacing the commercial carbon paper based GDL (Toray-GDL). The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimeter (MIP) showed that CNT-GDL is of higher graphitization degree, more abundant pores in the pore diameter range of 1000–3000 nm and better mass transfer ability, compared with those of Toray-GDL. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results display that the cell with CNT-GDL had better electrical conductivity and mass transfer ability than those of Toray-GDL. As a result, the limiting current density and peak power density of DMFC single cell with CNT-GDL are improved by 40% and 27%, respectively.

Keywords: Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs); Gas diffusion layer (GDL); Carbon nanotube (CNT); Porosity; Mass transfer (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:35:y:2010:i:3:p:1455-1459

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2009.11.031

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