The influence of hydrophobic polymer content in the microporous layer on the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

The effects of hydrophobic polymer content and loading in the gas diffusion and microporous layers on the performance of an H
₂
/O
₂
proton exchange membrane fuel cell were investigated. A membrane-electrode assembly with a microporous layer containing 20 wt.% polytetrafluoroethylene exhibits the best performance. Furthermore, a microporous layer loading of 1.5 milligrams of polytetrafluoroethylene and carbon powder per square centimeter of the gas diffusion electrode shows the best result. Electrodes have been characterized by electrochemical tests in a 5-cm
²
single cell.