Gas Diffusion Layer Market
The gas diffusion layers (GDL) are a fibrous porous media with two primary functions: uniform distribution of reactive gases on the electrode surfaces and electron transfer to and from the external electrical circuit. They are made of thin carbon fibers, a porous and hydrophobic material. The thickness of these fibers is between 250 and 400 μm, and the perforations or pores available are 4 to 50 μm in size. These gas diffusion layers must also serve as a support for the electrolyte, and their structure must allow water to escape, which would prevent the reaction from occurring. Gas diffusion layer (GDL) is a crucial component which is mainly responsible for the gas and water transport in any polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell. GDL is made up of two major layers: macroporous substrate (MPS) and microporous layer (MPL). MPS is subsequent to the gas flow field and it generally works by providing gas diffusion through carbon paper or carbon cloth and collecting the current. MPL is commonly used to reduce the contact resistance between the catalyst layer (CL) and the gas diffusion layer (GDL).
Market Dynamics
Carbon-based materials are mostly preferred for the construction of the GDL. Carbon is a favorable material that is capable of providing good electrical conductivity, gas permeability, elasticity and durability for PEM fuel cell components. Carbon paper or carbon cloth is used in the content of MPS of the GDL. Dual pore size distribution can be seen for the carbon cloth due to the voids between the carbon fibers.
The gas diffusion layer market is expected to register stable growth over the forecast period, owing to the use and development of porous metals such as iron and copper among others, in various engineering applications such as proton exchange membrane fuel cells that have increased substantially.
The metal substrates offer structural and functional applications in a wide range of industries such as biomedical applications and energy transportation. The metals substrates offer low density, high permeability in open structures, high energy absorption, and large specific surface area, and thereby linked with good electrical and thermal conductivity, and are corrosion resistant.
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