Elsevier

Catalysis Communications

Volume 159, November 2021, 106351
Catalysis Communications

Short communication
Natural wood derived robust carbon sheets with perpendicular channels as gas diffusion layers in air-breathing proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catcom.2021.106351Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • 3D inter-connected macroporous carbon sheets is prepared from green natural wood.

  • Serving as gas diffusion layer for air-breathing PEM fuel cell is reported.

  • Perpendicular channels and free of micropores contribute to the mass transfer.

  • Optimized PTFE modification realizes a good gas diffusion-water drainage balance.

  • Good power density (0.102 W/cm2 (at 0.43 V)) and cell stability is achieved.

Abstract

Herein, a novel natural wood derived macroporous carbon sheet with three-dimension inter-connected perpendicular-channels was engineered as gas diffusion layers (w-GDLs) for air-breathing proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Beneficial to the unique accessible perpendicular channels and the presence of a microporous layer, the current density reached 0.139 A/cm2 (at 0.6 V) and the maximum power density elevated up to 0.102 W/cm2 (at 0.43 V), which are comparable to the best results reported for the air-breathing PEMFCs with high Pt loadings. Furthermore, it exhibited excellent durability during preliminary constant discharge operation, demonstrating the feasibility of this w-GDL for practical applications.

Keywords

Air-breathing
PEMFC
Natural wood
Perpendicular channels
Gas diffusion layer

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