An ultrasonic atomization spray strategy for constructing hydrophobic and hydrophilic synergistic surfaces as gas diffusion layers for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

摘要

An effective strategy to construct a gas diffusion layer with hydrophobic and hydrophilic synergistic surfaces using a one-step ultrasonic atomizing spray low surface hydrophilic reagent (aerosol (R) ot-75 surfactant: polyacrylic acid: deionized water = 1:1:8) is reported. Higher peak power density is obtained with respect to conventionally prepared gas diffusion layers. The Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) mapping of the cross section and surface of the gas diffusion layer proves that the hydrophobic and hydrophilic synergistic surfaces is existed in the whole gas diffusion layer. By comparing the contact angle, water breakthrough pressure and pore size distribution of the two kind of gas diffusion layers, the main advantage of this gas diffusion layer with hydrophobic - hydrophilic synergistic surfaces is provide water transfer pathway so that improve the cell performance.