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Evaluation of the Effect of Microporous Sublayer Design and Fabrication on Performance and Adhesion in PEM Fuel Cell Assemblies

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dc.contributor.authorHenderson, Kenneth Reeden
dc.contributor.committeechairEllis, Michael W.en
dc.contributor.committeememberNelson, Douglas J.en
dc.contributor.committeememberDillard, David A.en
dc.contributor.departmentMechanical Engineeringen
dc.date.accessioned2014-03-14T20:46:33Zen
dc.date.adate2005-10-20en
dc.date.available2014-03-14T20:46:33Zen
dc.date.issued2005-09-16en
dc.date.rdate2006-10-20en
dc.date.sdate2005-10-10en
dc.description.abstractThe typical architecture of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) contains a layer called the microporous sublayer (MSL). The MSL is a mixture of carbon black and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which is typically applied to the gas diffusion layer (GDL). The composition (wt.% PTFE) and loading (mg/cm2) can be varied to optimize the electrochemical performance of the PEMFC and the overall adhesion of the layers within the PEMFC. This research establishes correlations that characterize the performance and adhesion of the layers within the PEMFC based on composition, loading, fabrication pressure, and fabrication time. MSL loading was varied from 1.5-4 mg/cm2, composition was varied from 10-50 wt.% PTFE, fabrication pressure was varied from 3.45-10.34 MPa, and fabrication time was varied from 2-8 minutes. Using these four factors, correlations were created, and optimal solutions for each response were identified. The adhesion correlation identifies a low MSL loading, mid-range MSL composition, high fabrication pressure, and high fabrication time as desirable factors. The performance correlation suggests that the PEMFC performance is enhanced with low MSL loadings, low MSL PTFE content, and a low fabrication pressure and does not find fabrication time to be a significant factor in the correlation.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.identifier.otheretd-10102005-165205en
dc.identifier.sourceurlhttp://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-10102005-165205/en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/35348en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.relation.haspartKenHendersonETD.pdfen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectWater Management Layeren
dc.subjectCatalyst Support Layeren
dc.subjectMicroporous Sublayeren
dc.subjectPEMFCen
dc.subjectFuel Cellen
dc.titleEvaluation of the Effect of Microporous Sublayer Design and Fabrication on Performance and Adhesion in PEM Fuel Cell Assembliesen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineMechanical Engineeringen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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