Effect of Gas Diffusion Layer Composition on the Performance of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

The effect of the cathode gas diffusion layer compositions on theperformance of direct methanol fuel cells has been investigated. Morphological and textural properties of different diffusion layers have been characterized. Experiments in a single cell show that the use of a microporous layer (MPL) made with acetylene black instead of furnace carbon black results in higher cell voltages and powerdensities. This has been explained by a smaller mass-transfer resistance in the cathode diffusion layer due to a more suitablestructure of the MPL when using acetylene black.