The through-plane thermal conductivity and the contact resistance of the components of the membrane electrode assembly and gas diffusion layer in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 270; pp. 59 - 67
• Main Authors: Alhazmi, N., Ingham, D.B., Ismail, M.S., Hughes, K., Ma, L., Pourkashanian, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15-12-2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Assembly; Catalyst layer; Contact resistance; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Electrodes; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Gas diffusion layers; Heat exchangers; Heat transfer; Membrane; Membranes; PEM fuel cells; Thermal conductivity; Thermal contact resistance; Through-plane thermal conductivity; Gas diffusion layers; Membrane; PEM fuel cells; Catalyst layer; Thermal contact resistance; Through-plane thermal conductivity; Polymer electrolytes; Membrane electrode assembly; Polymer solid electrolyte; Contact resistance; Diffusion layer; Thermal properties; Thermal conductivity; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells; Contact thermal resistance
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2014.07.082

The thermal conductivity of the components of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and GDL must be accurately estimated in order to better understand the heat transfer processes in the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. In this study, an experimental investigation has been performed to measure the through-plane thermal conductivity and the contact resistance for a number of gas diffusion layer (GDL) materials. The sensitivity of these quantities to the temperature, PTFE content and micro porous layer (MPL) coating has been undertaken. In addition, the through-plane thermal conductivity of the membrane has been measured and reported as a function of temperature and water content. Further, the through-plane thermal conductivity of the catalyst layer has been determined as a function of temperature and platinum loading. It has been found that the through-plane thermal conductivity of the components of the MEA decreases when the temperature increases, and the through-plane thermal conductivity of the GDL is significantly lower than its in-plane thermal conductivity.
•The thermal conductivity of the membrane was comparable in both directions.•The through-plane thermal conductivity of the membrane decreases with temperature.•The through-plane thermal conductivity of the GDL decreases with temperature.•The through-plane thermal conductivity of the GDL increases with compression.•The thermal conductivity of the catalyst was comparable in both directions.