Investigation of the Structural Characteristics of the Gas Diffusion Layer Using Micro-X-Ray Computed Tomography
Due to its low stiffness, the gas diffusion layer (GDL) exhibits significant deformation under a compression service condition, thereby exerting a nonlinear and strong coupling influence on fuel cells’ performance. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to study the structural characterist...
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2025-01-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/381 |
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| author | Qitong Shi Cong Feng Bing Li Pingwen Ming |
| author_facet | Qitong Shi Cong Feng Bing Li Pingwen Ming |
| author_sort | Qitong Shi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Due to its low stiffness, the gas diffusion layer (GDL) exhibits significant deformation under a compression service condition, thereby exerting a nonlinear and strong coupling influence on fuel cells’ performance. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to study the structural characteristics evolution of GDLs. The microstructure of the GDLs was obtained using micro-X-ray computed tomography in this study, and their structural properties were analyzed comprehensively and quantitatively. The morphology of GDLs exhibited significant variations across manufacturers due to disparities in the materials and manufacturing processes. The distribution of the pore equivalent diameter and sphericity in GDLs conformed to a normal distribution, with irregular shapes. The fiber length distribution in the unit followed a Gamma distribution, showing a random and uneven distribution in the XY plane. When compressed, the average fiber length was reduced, and a substantial increase in isolated pores was observed. However, the quantity of long fibers and connected and isolated pores decreased after acidification treatment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ae54a551f49d4aa580a5972da698c9d5 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-ae54a551f49d4aa580a5972da698c9d52025-01-24T13:31:16ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-01-0118238110.3390/en18020381Investigation of the Structural Characteristics of the Gas Diffusion Layer Using Micro-X-Ray Computed TomographyQitong Shi0Cong Feng1Bing Li2Pingwen Ming3School of Electrical Engineering, Tongling University, Tongling 244061, ChinaCollege of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, ChinaSchool of Automotive Studies, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, ChinaSchool of Automotive Studies, Tongji University, Shanghai 201804, ChinaDue to its low stiffness, the gas diffusion layer (GDL) exhibits significant deformation under a compression service condition, thereby exerting a nonlinear and strong coupling influence on fuel cells’ performance. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to study the structural characteristics evolution of GDLs. The microstructure of the GDLs was obtained using micro-X-ray computed tomography in this study, and their structural properties were analyzed comprehensively and quantitatively. The morphology of GDLs exhibited significant variations across manufacturers due to disparities in the materials and manufacturing processes. The distribution of the pore equivalent diameter and sphericity in GDLs conformed to a normal distribution, with irregular shapes. The fiber length distribution in the unit followed a Gamma distribution, showing a random and uneven distribution in the XY plane. When compressed, the average fiber length was reduced, and a substantial increase in isolated pores was observed. However, the quantity of long fibers and connected and isolated pores decreased after acidification treatment.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/381structural characteristicsgas diffusion layerfuel cell3D-μXCT |
| spellingShingle | Qitong Shi Cong Feng Bing Li Pingwen Ming Investigation of the Structural Characteristics of the Gas Diffusion Layer Using Micro-X-Ray Computed Tomography Energies structural characteristics gas diffusion layer fuel cell 3D-μXCT |
| title | Investigation of the Structural Characteristics of the Gas Diffusion Layer Using Micro-X-Ray Computed Tomography |
| title_full | Investigation of the Structural Characteristics of the Gas Diffusion Layer Using Micro-X-Ray Computed Tomography |
| title_fullStr | Investigation of the Structural Characteristics of the Gas Diffusion Layer Using Micro-X-Ray Computed Tomography |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigation of the Structural Characteristics of the Gas Diffusion Layer Using Micro-X-Ray Computed Tomography |
| title_short | Investigation of the Structural Characteristics of the Gas Diffusion Layer Using Micro-X-Ray Computed Tomography |
| title_sort | investigation of the structural characteristics of the gas diffusion layer using micro x ray computed tomography |
| topic | structural characteristics gas diffusion layer fuel cell 3D-μXCT |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/381 |
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