Exergetic Performance of a PEM Fuel Cell with Laser-Induced Graphene as the Microporous Layer

Viorel Ionescu, Adriana Elena Balan, Alexandra Maria Isabel Trefilov and Ioan Stamatin
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Viorel Ionescu: Department of Physics and Electronics, Ovidius University of Constanța, 900527 Constanța, Romania
Adriana Elena Balan: 3NanoSAE Research Center, Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest, 077125 Măgurele, Romania
Alexandra Maria Isabel Trefilov: National Institute for Laser, Plasma and Radiation Physics (INFLPR), 077125 Măgurele, Romania
Ioan Stamatin: 3NanoSAE Research Center, Faculty of Physics, University of Bucharest, 077125 Măgurele, Romania

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 19, 1-18

Abstract: The microporous layer (MPL) constitutes a critical component of the gas diffusion layer within the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEM FC). The MPL plays a fundamental role in various processes during FC operation: control of membrane humidification, heat distribution throughout the MEA, excess water removal from the cathode, and transportation of fuel to the reaction sites. Previously, we investigated the performance of a fuel cell unit employing an MPL based on laser-induced graphene (LIG) produced by the laser pyrolysis of polymeric (polyimide) substrates. The prototype LIG-based unit was tested over the typical range of relative humidity and temperature conditions. The polarization curves observed in that study displayed broad ohmic loss regions and high stability along the concentration loss regions, an interesting electrical behavior that justified developing the present voltage-current density study for the same FC prototype compared to one bearing a commercial pyrolytic carbon black MPL. The same operating conditions as in the first study were applied, in order to properly compare the performance efficiencies between the two systems; these are evaluated by considering the thermodynamic losses influence on the exergy efficiency, to exceed any limitations inherent in the classical energy efficiency analysis.

Keywords: exergy efficiency; laser-induced graphene (LIG); microporous layer; proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEM FC); thermodynamic irreversibility; voltage efficiency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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