Effect of composition and structure of gas diffusion layer and microporous layer on the through‐plane gas permeability of <scp>PEFC</scp> porous media

The through-plane permeability of the gas diffusion media (GDM) is investigated experimentally with regard to microporous layer (MPL) composition and (GDL) structure. MPL held constant at 80% carbon powder 20% polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) (by weight) for various loadings. decrease or increase in GDM was found be dependent on structure GDL used conjunction type powder. It that low-surface-area (Vulcan XC-72R) forms thin, dense MPLs small cracks when compared high-surface-area (Ketjenblack EC-300J), which creates thick, rough large increased For most cases, decreases increasing loading; however, non-woven, straight fibre papers using Ketjenblack EC-300J show lowest loading. Furthermore, percentage reduction from substrate appears predictable similar structures PTFE loading 10% 30% shown have a significant impact original ~9% 15% composed Vulcan XC-72R as powder; such effects are insignificant