ISSN Online: 2377-424X
ISBN Print: 978-1-56700-474-8
ISBN Online: 978-1-56700-473-1
International Heat Transfer Conference 16
PARTICLE TRANSFER AND STRUCTURE FORMATION IN CATALYST INK DURING DRYING PROCESS
Abstract
Numerical simulation of the drying process of colloidal dispersions was conducted. Catalyst layers of polymer electrolyte fuel cells are formed from a slurry called catalyst ink via applying and drying. Catalyst layers consist of platinum-loaded carbon and ionomer and they form a porous structure. Through-plane component distribution is an important factor for mass transfer and the resultant cell performance. Therefore, a model considering two solid components and variation of evaporation rate according to particle concentration on the drying surface was suggested to analyze dynamics and resultant through-plane distribution. The model showed that non-uniform distribution in the through-plane of the catalyst layers was formed during the catalyst ink drying at high Peclet number and low sedimentation number.