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Towards reliable correlation of microporous layer physical characteristics and PEMFC electrochemical performance
Includes bibliographical references.
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| Main Author: | |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Centre for Catalysis Research
2015
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| _version_ | 1867613164219138048 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Crymble, Gregory A |
| author2 | Conrad, Olaf |
| author_browse | Conrad, Olaf Crymble, Gregory A |
| author_facet | Conrad, Olaf Crymble, Gregory A |
| author_sort | Crymble, Gregory A |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Includes bibliographical references. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/12831 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:31:47.142Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2015 |
| publishDateRange | 2015 |
| publishDateSort | 2015 |
| publisher | Centre for Catalysis Research |
| publisherStr | Centre for Catalysis Research |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/12831 Towards reliable correlation of microporous layer physical characteristics and PEMFC electrochemical performance Crymble, Gregory A Conrad, Olaf Hussain, Nabeel Catalysis Research Includes bibliographical references. Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells are promising clean energy alternatives to non - sustainable fossil fuels. During fuel cell operation, external humidification of reactant gases is typically required in order to increase PEM conductivity for improved performance. However, the use of external humidification is costly and increases system complexity. Recently it has been found that by including a cathode microporous layer (MPL) in the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) , performance under dry conditions (no external humidification) can be significantly improved . However, the precise function of the MPL is not well understood and therefore there is little theoretical basis to optimisation of physical properties. One possible reason for this lack of understanding is the absence of a well-established fabrication, characterization and electrochemical testing methodology for MPL research. In particular, current research places little emphasis on the effect of MEA variance on the uncertainty in MPL electrochemical performance results. In this study a methodology is developed for fabricating, characterizing and testing MPLs to accurately correlate physical properties with in-situ electrochemical performance. MPLs of two significantly different thicknesses (approximately 20 and 50 μm in the thickest regions) were fabricated in - house using a doctor blade method and varying the ink composition. The pore structure and thickness of MPLs were characterized by mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray micro computed tomography (μCT). 2015-05-18T14:26:06Z 2015-05-18T14:26:06Z 2014 Master Thesis Masters MSc http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12831 eng application/pdf Centre for Catalysis Research Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment University of Cape Town |
| spellingShingle | Catalysis Research Crymble, Gregory A Towards reliable correlation of microporous layer physical characteristics and PEMFC electrochemical performance |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | Towards reliable correlation of microporous layer physical characteristics and PEMFC electrochemical performance |
| title_full | Towards reliable correlation of microporous layer physical characteristics and PEMFC electrochemical performance |
| title_fullStr | Towards reliable correlation of microporous layer physical characteristics and PEMFC electrochemical performance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Towards reliable correlation of microporous layer physical characteristics and PEMFC electrochemical performance |
| title_short | Towards reliable correlation of microporous layer physical characteristics and PEMFC electrochemical performance |
| title_sort | towards reliable correlation of microporous layer physical characteristics and pemfc electrochemical performance |
| topic | Catalysis Research |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/12831 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT crymblegregorya towardsreliablecorrelationofmicroporouslayerphysicalcharacteristicsandpemfcelectrochemicalperformance |