In this study, we present a novel catalyst layer (CL) with in-plane flow channels to enhance mass transports in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with the in-plane channel-patterned CL (IC-CL) show...
In this study, we present a novel catalyst layer (CL) with in-plane flow channels to enhance mass transports in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) with the in-plane channel-patterned CL (IC-CL) shows superior power performances in high current densities compare with un-patterned, flat CL (FCL), demonstrating significant enhancement of mass transport property by the in-plane channels carved in the CL. The performance gain is more pronounced when the channel direction is perpendicular to the flow field direction, indicating that the in-plane channels increase the utilization of the CL under rib area. The direct CL patterning technique provides a platform for the fabrication of advanced CL structures with a high structural fidelity and a rational guideline for designing high performance CLs.