MEASUREMENT OF CATALYST LAYER WETTABILITY IN PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELL

Abstract

Fuel cells are promising alternatives for automotive sector. Performance of fuel cell is greatly affected by water management in fuel cell. Hence, study of wettability of catalyst layer and its response to various processing conditions is important for its improvement. Catalyst layers were introduced to variation in temperature and pressure for different duration in various stages of its testing. Effect of varying preparation conditions was assessed by measuring water uptake and contact angle of catalyst layer using capillary rise experiments by mounting catalyst layer on substrate (ETFE). Contact angle was also measured by sessile drop method where effect change in heating duration was observed. Sessile drop tests were also used to observe effect of water absorption of catalyst layer with respect to time as depicted by drop reduction and change in contact angle.