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Corresponding Author

Jing PAN;Lin ZHUANG(lzhuang@whu.edu.cn)

Abstract

In the present work, we study the influence of the electrode hydrophobicity on the performance of alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells (APEFCs). QAPS or xQAPS is employed as the membrane and the ionomer, while PTFE is used as a hydrophobic additive in order to adjust the electrode hydrophobicity. We find that enhancing the hydrophobicity of anode can promote the performance of APEFCs, while a moderate hydrophobicity of cathode is required to achieve optimal performance. By using xQAPS as the electrolyte and adding some PTFE in the anode, a peak power density of 132 mW·cm-2 can be obtained at a current density of 280 mA·cm-2 when the APEFC single cell is operated under 100% RH at 60 ºC.

Keywords

alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells, catalyst layer, hydrophobicity, quaternized polysulfone, polytetrafluoroethylene

Publication Date

2013-06-28

Online Available Date

2013-01-16

Revised Date

2013-01-11

Received Date

2012-10-12

References

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