Porous Transport Layers in PEM Systems

What this topic covers

How water, gases and current move next to catalyst layers.

Core energy-system ideas

Porous transport structures distribute reactants and remove products.

They also help conduct electricity and support mechanical interfaces.

Material choice differs between fuel cells and electrolyzers because environments differ.

Important tradeoffs

Catalyst-layer performance emerges from reaction kinetics and transport at the same time.

Material and performance evidence

Lower platinum loading can increase sensitivity to local transport or degradation effects.

Lifecycle perspective

Manufacturing scrap is part of platinum material accounting and can be an important recycling stream.