Proton exchange membrane micro fuel cells on 3D porous silicon gas diffusion layers

• Published in: Journal of power sources Vol. 216; pp. 15 - 21
• Main Authors: Kouassi, S., Gautier, G., Thery, J., Desplobain, S., Borella, M., Ventura, L., Laurent, J.-Y.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15-10-2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Construction; Devices; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Engineering Sciences; Equipments for energy generation and conversion: thermal, electrical, mechanical energy, etc; Exact sciences and technology; Fuel cells; Gas diffusion; Membranes; Micro and nanotechnologies; Micro fuel cell; Microelectronics; PEMFC; Porous silicon; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells; Prototypes; Three dimensional; 3D; PEMFC; Micro fuel cell; Porous silicon; Performance evaluation; Prototype; Hydrogen; Precision engineering; Polymer solid electrolyte; Iron; Diffusion layer; Micromachine; Porous material; Implementation; Optimization; Silicon; Peak power; Proton exchange membrane fuel cells; Microelectromechanical device; Wafer; Fuel cell; Polymer electrolytes; Active layer; Manufacturing process; Feasibility; Room temperature
• ISSN: 0378-7753; 1873-2755
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2012.05.046

Since the 90's, porous silicon has been studied and implemented in many devices, especially in MEMS technology. In this article, we present a new approach to build miniaturized proton exchange membrane micro-fuel cells using porous silicon as a hydrogen diffusion layer. In particular, we propose an innovative process to build micro fuel cells from a “corrugated iron like” 3D structured porous silicon substrates. This structure is able to increase up to 40% the cell area keeping a constant footprint on the silicon wafer. We propose here a process route to perform electrochemically 3D porous gas diffusion layers and to deposit fuel cell active layers on such substrates. The prototype peak power performance was measured to be 90 mW cm−2 in a “breathing configuration” at room temperature. These performances are less than expected if we compare with a reference 2D micro fuel cell. Actually, the active layer deposition processes are not fully optimized but this prototype demonstrates the feasibility of these 3D devices.
► We present a new approach to build miniaturized proton exchange membrane micro-fuel. ► We built fuel cells using 3D structured porous silicon substrates to increase the cell active surface. ► We performed fully porous “corrugated iron” like substrates by silicon electrochemistry. ► The prototype peak power performance was measured to be 90 mW cm2 in a “breathing configuration” at room temperature.