Controlled Porosity and Surface Coatings for Advanced Gas Diffusion Layers

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells are a leading candidate to replace internal combustion engines for light duty vehicles, but their performance is below current targets- The gas diffusion layers in the fuel cell are one component that limits the performance- These limits can be addressed by structuring porosity in the gas diffusion layers to enhance transport mechanisms and provide greater durability- The problems of current generation gas diffusion layers will be addressed by engineering controlled porosity that improves water management in polymer exchange membrane fuel cells and by coating the gas diffusion layers with a novel corrosion resistant layer to achieve greater resistance to chemical attack at operating conditions-