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Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Sheets as a Cathodic Functional Interlayer in PEM Fuel Cells

  • Nanoporous Materials

(My main research)

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Conventional PEM fuel cells are comprised of several essential components. Particularly gas diffusion layer (GDL) and bipolar plate (BP) are physically interfacial contact with each other. However, there are still challenging issues regarding uneven contact between GDL and BP; the relatively large roughness of GDL. This imperfect contact induces degradation in performance and durability based on heterogeneous electron & mass transfers.  

The nanoporous CNT sheet was inserted between cathodic gas diffusion layer (GDL) and bipolar plate (BP) for boosting electrochemical performance and durability in conventional PEMFCs. CNT sheets were synthesized through "Direct-spinning," which is cost-effective for mass production. I tried my best to probe how CNT functional interlayer improves the performance and durability. ​​

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The nanoporous CNT with better interfacial contact enhances products (water) holdup adjacent to membrane, and elevation of reactant partial pressure. Thus membrane hydration and charge transfer are boosted, and the former performs an essential role for extending durability of conventional PEMFCs. Moreover, I proposed the optimal CNT functional interlayer thickness depending on operating conditions. Please see below for achievements details.

  • Feasibility of CNT functional interlayer, exploring the contributors of possessing enhanced performance by measurements with I-V curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). (Jan 2021 - Jun 2021)
     

  • Further potentials of CNT functional interlayer, tailoring various CNT sheets to check and optimize behaviors under different operating conditions (normal to harshest). This follow-up study mostly focused on further finding mechanisms for boosting performance and durability of PEMFCs.  To this end, I performed morphological characterization by Raman spectroscopy, effects of CNT functional interlayer by EIS fitting and hydrogen crossover with linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), and long-term operation under the harshed operating condition. (Jul 2021 - Mar 2022)



     

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  • Paper

Obeen Kwon, J. Kim, H. Yoo, H. Choi, H. Cha, S. Jeong, D. Im, M. Shin, Y. Jeong*, T. Park*, "Cathodic nanoporous CNT functional interlayer as a performance and durability boosting agent for proton exchange membrane fuel cells to operable at 120 °C", Carbon 199, 51-62 (2022) [Link]

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Obeen Kwon, J. Kim, H. Choi, H. Cha, M. Shin, Y. Jeong*, T. Park*, “CNT sheet as a cathodic functional interlayer in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells”, Energy 245, 123237 (2022) [Link]

Progress & achievements in this research:​

  • Conference & Award

Best Paper Award Winner (Green Manufacturing Technology, Poster Session), "Performance Enhancement for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells Based on Nanoporous Carbon Nanotube Sheet,"  Proceedings of Korean Society of Precision Engineering (KSPE) 2021 Autumn Conference, Busan, Republic of Korea

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  • Patent Application

T. Park, Y. Jeong, Obeen Kwon, H. Cha, H. Choi, H. Yoo, S. Jeong, Y. So, Carbon nanotube sheet nanoporous functional interlayer as a performance and durability boosting agent for low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (ADP-2022-0094) Feb 2022

  • Project 

​Nano-porous Layer based on Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube of PEMFC for Improving Durability/electrochemical Performance, Hyundai Motors, Oct 2021-Oct 2022, Completed

(After my first paper was accepted in Energy, I submitted an assignment proposal to Hyundai Motors, and I have worked as the responsibility of project practical affairs)

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