Use of Fluoropolymers as Components of Fuel Cells

The structure and operating principle of a fuel cell with a polymer proton-exchange membrane are described. The morphology of superhydrophobic fluoroplastic coatings on the surfaces of carbon fibers of gas-diffusion layers under development is examined. The water resistance of gas-diffusion layers characterizing the resistance of this carbon-fluoropolymer composite to water flow is studied as a function of the fluoroplastic matrix content. The efficiency of using not only suspensions of polytetrafluoroethylene but also dilute lacs of modified polyvinylidene fluoride is confirmed. A comparative analysis found that the developed gas-diffusion layers had operating parameters (specific electrical resistance, porosity, thickness, surface density, and hydrophobicity) comparable to those of imported industrial analogs.