Superhydrophobic PAN nanofibers for gas diffusion layers of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Mohammad Salahuddin; Gisuk Hwang; Ramazan Asmatulu

doi:10.1117/12.2235247

16 April 2016 Superhydrophobic PAN nanofibers for gas diffusion layers of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Mohammad Salahuddin, Gisuk Hwang, Ramazan Asmatulu

Proceedings Volume 9802, Nanosensors, Biosensors, and Info-Tech Sensors and Systems 2016; 98021U (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2235247
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2016, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Abstract

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are considered to be the promising alternatives of natural resources for generating electricity and power. An optimal water management in the gas diffusion layers (GDL) is critical to high fuel cell performance. Its basic functions include transportation of the reactant gas from flow channels to catalyst effectively, draining out the liquid water from catalyst layer to flow channels, and conducting electrons with low humidity. In this study, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) was dissolved in a solvent and electrospun at various conditions to produce PAN nanofibers prior to the stabilization at 280 °C for 1 hour in the atmospheric pressure and carbonization at 850 °C for 1 hour. The surface hydrophobicity values of the carbonized PAN nanofibers were adjusted using superhydrophobic and hydrophilic agents. The thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of the new GDLs depicted much better results compared to the conventionally used ones. The water condensation tests on the surfaces (superhydrophobic and hydrophilic) of the GDL showed a crucial step towards improved water managements in the fuel cell. This study may open up new possibilities for developing high- performing GDL materials for future PEM fuel cell applications.

Citation Download Citation

Mohammad Salahuddin, Gisuk Hwang, and Ramazan Asmatulu "Superhydrophobic PAN nanofibers for gas diffusion layers of proton exchange membrane fuel cells", Proc. SPIE 9802, Nanosensors, Biosensors, and Info-Tech Sensors and Systems 2016, 98021U (16 April 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2235247

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