A method for preparing a gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability and application of the gas diffusion layer in a fuel cell

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability and the application of the gas diffusion layer in a fuel cell, which at least comprises the following steps: S1, preparing an impregnation liquid with a concentration of 1-8wt%; S2, placing the gas diffusion layer in a fixture with upper and lower pressing plates, the two pressing plates being closely attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the gas diffusion layer, applying a pressure of 0.5-3MPa to the gas diffusion layer, and using a pump to pass the impregnation liquid; S3, after the impregnation is completed, draining the excess impregnation liquid; placing the fixture and the gas diffusion layer in step S2 in a nitrogen environment, sintering at 80-180°C for 0.5-90min, and obtaining a gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability. The gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability in the present application has good water retention / drainage capabilities while ensuring that the conductivity of the gas diffusion layer remains unchanged.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of fuel cells, and in particular to a method for preparing a gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability and application of the gas diffusion layer in fuel cells. Background Art

[0002] As a secondary energy source, hydrogen energy has become the focus of current energy transformation due to its abundant reserves, cleanliness, high efficiency, and adaptability to large-scale energy storage. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells are the main form of hydrogen energy application, with the advantages of high energy density, low noise, high reliability, and high efficiency. They can replace traditional fossil energy and are widely used in industry, transportation, life and other fields.

[0003] The key components of proton exchange membrane fuel cells include: catalyst layer, proton exchange membrane, gas diffusion layer and bipolar plate. Gas diffusion layer (GDL) is located between the catalyst layer and the bipolar plate. Its main functions are to conduct reaction gas, discharge excess water, conduct heat, conduct electrons and provide mechanical support for membrane electrode.

[0004] In the actual use of fuel cells, it is found that the operating conditions of fuel cells in different scenarios are different, so the corresponding humidification is also different. Under high humidity and high current, there is more water inside the fuel cell, which is easy to cause flooding, thus affecting the battery performance, so it is necessary to improve the drainage capacity of the fuel cell; under low humidity and low current, there is less water inside the fuel cell, which is easy to cause membrane drying, affecting proton conductivity, and thus affecting battery performance. Therefore, higher requirements are needed for the water management capacity of the gas diffusion layer. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides a method for preparing a gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability and the application of the gas diffusion layer in a fuel cell. The preparation method has good water retention / drainage capabilities while ensuring that the conductivity of the gas diffusion layer remains unchanged, and the preparation steps of the present invention are simple and highly operable.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, one of the present inventions is to provide a method for preparing a gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability, which comprises at least the following steps:

[0007] S1, preparing an impregnation solution with a concentration of 1-8wt%;

[0008] S2, placing the gas diffusion layer in a fixture with upper and lower pressing plates, the two pressing plates are closely attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the gas diffusion layer, and then uniformly applying a pressure of 0.5-3MPa to the surface of the gas diffusion layer; wherein the gas diffusion layer comprises a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, and the impregnation liquid prepared in step S1 is sequentially introduced from the first side and flows out from the second side using a pump, t1 is the time for the impregnation liquid to flow from the first side to the second side; then, the impregnation liquid is introduced from the second side and flows out from the first side, t2 is the time for the impregnation liquid to flow from the second side to the first side, wherein the flow rate of the impregnation liquid is 20-120mL / min;

[0009] S3. After the impregnation is completed, stop supplying the liquid and let it stand to drain the excess impregnation liquid; place the fixture and the gas diffusion layer in step S2 in a nitrogen environment, sinter at 80-180°C for 0.5-90 minutes, release the pressure and take out the gas diffusion layer to obtain a gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability.

[0010] Furthermore, the gas diffusion layer used in step S2 is a GDL produced by Shenzhen General Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd., or other commercial GDL.

[0011] Furthermore, the t1 is 20-100 min; the t2 is 20-100 min.

[0012] Through the above technical solution, the impregnation time is determined by the type of impregnation liquid, the concentration of the impregnation liquid and the physical properties of the gas diffusion layer.

[0013] When the viscosity of the impregnation liquid is low, it is conducive to impregnation, the interaction with the GDL is strong, the pores of the GDL are large, and the flow rate of the impregnation liquid is high, the impregnation time is short. When the viscosity of the impregnation liquid increases, the interaction with the GDL is weak, the flow rate of the impregnation liquid is low, and the impregnation time is long.

[0014] At the same time, since the pressure plate of the fixture presses the surface of the gas diffusion layer, on the one hand, it simulates the assembly conditions in the battery, and on the other hand, it ensures that the surface of the gas diffusion layer will not be affected by the impregnation liquid, thereby ensuring its conductive performance.

[0015] Furthermore, the t1 is 20 min; the t2 is 20 min.

[0016] Through the above technical solution, the impregnation liquid can be fully diffused inside the gas diffusion layer to ensure a uniform impregnation effect.

[0017] Furthermore, the raw materials of the impregnation liquid include any one of a water repellent, a water retaining agent, or a mixture of a water repellent, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and polyethylene acrylic acid; the mass ratio of the water repellent, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and polyethylene acrylic acid is 1:(0.19-0.22):(0.28-0.32).

[0018] Further, the water repellent is at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene, and a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether;

[0019] The water retaining agent is any one of nitric acid, hydrophilic SiO2, hydrophilic TiO2, hydrophilic SnO2, and hydrophilic organic materials.

[0020] Furthermore, the hydrophilic organic material is any one of polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose and agarose.

[0021] Furthermore, the pressing plate is an elastic pad with a hardness of 5-60 degrees.

[0022] Through the above technical solution, the use environment of the gas diffusion layer in the fuel cell can be simulated, so that the conductive network of the gas diffusion layer is the same as that in the fuel cell. In addition, the two pressing plates use soft elastic pads, which can well cover and protect the microporous layer and the support layer surface of the gas diffusion layer from being impregnated by the impregnation liquid, thereby ensuring that the impregnation liquid will not affect the conductivity of the gas diffusion layer during the treatment process, that is, the conductivity of the gas diffusion layer remains unchanged before and after the treatment.

[0023] Furthermore, the material of the elastic pad is any one of silicone, rubber, soft polyvinyl chloride, and thermoplastic elastomer.

[0024] Through the above technical solution, the platen material has a certain deformation and its heat resistance temperature is limited. The selection of the platen material is related to the selection of the impregnation liquid and whether heat treatment is required. For example, when the impregnation liquid is a polyvinylidene fluoride impregnation liquid, the temperature requirement for the platen material is greater than the processing temperature of the polyvinylidene fluoride in the impregnation liquid, which is about 180°C. Therefore, acrylic rubber (short-term resistance to 200°C) can be used as the platen material, which can ensure that the platen material is not affected by the treatment at 180°C for 10 minutes.

[0025] Furthermore, the rubber includes any one of EPDM sponge rubber, nitrile sponge rubber, silicone sponge rubber, natural rubber, and thermoplastic rubber.

[0026] Furthermore, the elastic pad is made of silicone.

[0027] Through the above technical solution, since the silica gel pad is relatively soft, it can well cover and protect the microporous layer and the support layer surface of the gas diffusion layer from being impregnated by the impregnation liquid, thereby simulating the conductivity of the gas diffusion layer in the battery when it is compressed.

[0028] The second aspect of the present invention is to provide a gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability obtained by the above preparation method.

[0029] The third aspect of the present invention is to propose the application of the above-mentioned gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability in a fuel cell.

[0030] In the technical solution of the present invention, the real environment of the gas diffusion layer in the fuel cell is simulated, and the conductive network of the gas diffusion layer is the same as that in the fuel cell. At the same time, the pressure plates on both sides of the gas diffusion layer use soft elastic pads, which can well cover and protect the microporous layer and the surface of the support layer of the gas diffusion layer from being impregnated by the impregnation liquid, thereby ensuring that the impregnation liquid will not affect the conductivity of the gas diffusion layer during the treatment process, that is, the conductivity of the gas diffusion layer remains unchanged before and after the impregnation liquid treatment. The technical solution of the present invention has simple steps and strong operability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying creative work.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a flow chart of the impregnation process of the gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability in Example 1.

[0033] Figure 2 The through-plane resistance curves of the gas diffusion layers prepared in Example 1 and Comparative Example 1 are shown.

[0034] Figure 3 The through-plane resistance curves of the gas diffusion layers prepared in Example 2 and Comparative Example 1 are shown.

[0035] Figure 4 The through-plane resistance curves of the gas diffusion layers prepared in Example 3 and Comparative Example 1 are shown.

[0036] Figure 5 The through-plane resistance curves of the gas diffusion layers prepared in Example 4 and Comparative Example 1 are shown.

[0037] Figure 6 The through-plane resistance curves of the gas diffusion layers prepared in Example 5 and Comparative Example 1 are shown.

[0038] Figure 7 The through-plane resistance curves of the gas diffusion layers prepared in Comparative Example 2 and Comparative Example 1 are shown.

[0039] Figure 8The through-plane resistance curves of the gas diffusion layers prepared in Comparative Example 3 and Comparative Example 1 are shown.

[0040] Fig. 9 The battery performance curves of Examples 1, 2, 5 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are shown.

[0041] Fig.10 The battery performance curves of Examples 3 and 4 and Comparative Examples 1 and 3 are shown.

[0042] Fig.11 FIG. 1 is a top view of a gas diffusion layer and a fixture for enhancing water management capability in Example 1.

[0043] Among them, 1. microporous layer; 2. supporting layer; 3. upper pressing plate; 4. lower pressing plate; 5. clamp.

[0044] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The following will be combined with the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0046] The experimental methods in the following examples are conventional methods unless otherwise specified. The experimental materials and reagents used in the following examples are all commercially available unless otherwise specified. The quantitative tests in the following examples were performed in triplicate, and the data are the average or average ± standard deviation of the triplicate experiments.

[0047] In addition, the "and / or" in the full text includes three solutions. Taking A and / or B as an example, it includes technical solution A, technical solution B, and a technical solution that satisfies both A and B. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but it must be based on the fact that ordinary technicians in the field can implement it. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the protection scope required by the present invention.

[0048] The untreated gas diffusion layer used in Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 of the present application is GDL-S-20 produced by Shenzhen General Hydrogen Energy Technology Co., Ltd., denoted as GDL-0.

[0049] Embodiment 1

[0050] S1. Dilute the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) emulsion to obtain 1 wt% PVDF, and prepare a hydrophobic impregnation solution by stirring and dispersing for 30 minutes and ultrasonically dispersing for 1 hour.

[0051] S2, GDL-0 includes a microporous layer and a support layer. The surface of GDL-0 is provided with an upper pressing plate and a lower pressing plate which are closely attached to the surface of GDL-0. The structure is as follows: Figure 1 Place the upper and lower pressure plates and GDL-0 in the fixture, which is made of transparent acrylic material and has the following structure: Fig.11 As shown. The fixture applies pressure to the upper and lower pressing plates. At this time, the upper and lower pressing plates are subjected to a uniform pressure of 0.8MPa. Figure 1 Where P represents pressure. The gas diffusion layer comprises a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The hydrophobic impregnation liquid prepared in step S1 is introduced into the first side and the second side in sequence. Figure 1 , 11 As shown, the direction of the hollow arrow represents the flow direction of the impregnation liquid, and t1 is the time for the impregnation liquid to flow from the first side to the second side; the flow direction of the impregnation liquid is changed, and t2 is the time for the impregnation liquid to flow from the second side to the first side. The flow of the impregnation liquid is observed through a transparent fixture to ensure a uniform impregnation effect, and t1 and t2 are both 20 minutes.

[0052] S3. Then, nitrogen was introduced, sintered at 180° C. for 0.5 min, and the pressure was released. The obtained gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability was recorded as GDL-1.

[0053] Test the through-plane resistance of GDL-1, the results are as follows Figure 2 shown.

[0054] The two GDL-1 and CCM were packaged into membrane electrodes and assembled into a battery. The high humidity and high density battery performance of the battery was tested at 100 kPa, 80°C, 100% RH with a stoichiometric ratio of 1.3 / 2.0. The results are as follows: Fig. 9 shown.

[0055] The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that:

[0056] S1. Dilute the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) emulsion to obtain 8 wt% PVDF. Both t1 and t2 are 40 min.

[0057] The gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability prepared in Example 2 is denoted as GDL-2.

[0058] Test the through-plane resistance of GDL-2, the results are as follows Figure 3 shown.

[0059] The two GDL-2 and CCM were packaged into membrane electrodes and assembled into a battery. The high humidity and high electric density battery performance of the battery was tested at 100 kPa, 80°C, 100% RH with a stoichiometric ratio of 1.3 / 2.0. The results are as follows: Fig. 9 shown.

[0060] The difference between the third embodiment and the first embodiment is that:

[0061] S1. Dilute concentrated nitric acid (HNO3) to obtain a 1wt% nitric acid impregnation solution, and control the temperature of the nitric acid impregnation solution to 80°C.

[0062] S2, t1 and t2 are all 40 minutes.

[0063] S3, washing with deionized water, then introducing nitrogen, baking at 80° C. for 0.5 min, releasing the pressure, and the obtained gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability is recorded as GDL-3.

[0064] Test the through-plane resistance of GDL-3, the results are as follows Figure 4 shown.

[0065] The two GDL-3 and CCM were packaged into membrane electrodes and assembled into a battery. The low humidity battery performance (air-cooled battery) of the battery was tested at 100 kPa, 80°C, 20% RH with a stoichiometric ratio of 1.3 / 13.0. The results are as follows: Fig.10 shown.

[0066] The difference between the fourth embodiment and the third embodiment is that:

[0067] S1. Dilute concentrated nitric acid (HNO3) to obtain an 8wt% nitric acid impregnation solution.

[0068] The gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability prepared in Example 4 is denoted as GDL-4.

[0069] Test the through-plane resistance of GDL-4, the results are as follows Figure 5 shown.

[0070] The two GDL-4 and CCM were packaged into membrane electrodes and assembled into a battery. The low humidity battery performance (air-cooled battery) of the battery was tested at 100 kPa, 80°C, 20% RH with a stoichiometric ratio of 1.3 / 13.0. The results are as follows: Fig.10 shown.

[0071] The difference between the fifth embodiment and the first embodiment is that:

[0072] S1. Dilute the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) emulsion to obtain 1wt% PVDF, then add sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and polyethylene acrylic acid, wherein the mass ratio of polyvinylidene fluoride, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and polyethylene acrylic acid is 1:0.2:0.3, and prepare the hydrophobic impregnation solution by stirring and dispersing for 30 minutes and ultrasonic dispersion for 1 hour, and t1 and t2 are both 30 minutes.

[0073] S3. Then, nitrogen was introduced, sintered at 180° C. for 0.5 min, and the pressure was released. The obtained gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability was recorded as GDL-5.

[0074] Test the through-plane resistance of GDL-5, the results are as follows Figure 6 shown.

[0075] The two GDL-5 and CCM were packaged into membrane electrodes and assembled into a battery. The high humidity and high density battery performance of the battery was tested at 100 kPa, 80°C, 100% RH with a stoichiometric ratio of 1.3 / 2.0. The results are as follows: Fig. 9 shown.

[0076] Comparative Example 1

[0077] The gas diffusion layer is GDL-0.

[0078] Test the through-plane resistance of GDL-0. The results are as follows: Figure 2 shown.

[0079] The two GDL-0 and CCM were packaged into membrane electrodes and assembled into a battery. The battery performance of the battery was tested at 100 kPa, 80°C, 100% RH with a stoichiometric ratio of 1.3 / 2.0. The results are as follows: Fig. 9 As shown; and the battery was tested at 100kPa, 80°C, 20%RH with a stoichiometric ratio of 1.3 / 13.0 for low humidity battery performance (air-cooled battery), and the results are as follows Fig.10 shown.

[0080] Comparative Example 2

[0081] The GDL-0 was placed in 8 wt % PVDF, sintered at 180° C. for 0.5 min, and then washed and dried to obtain the gas diffusion layer GDL-6.

[0082] Test the through-plane resistance of GDL-6, the results are as follows Figure 7 shown.

[0083] The two GDL-6 and CCM were packaged into membrane electrodes and assembled into a battery. The battery performance was tested at 100 kPa, 80°C, 100% RH with a stoichiometric ratio of 1.3 / 2.0. Fig. 9 shown.

[0084] Comparative Example 3

[0085] The GDL-0 was placed in 8wt% HNO3 and kept in a water bath at 80°C for 80 min. After cleaning and drying, the gas diffusion layer GDL-7 was obtained.

[0086] Test the through-plane resistance of GDL-7, the results are as follows Figure 8 shown.

[0087] The two GDL-7 and CCM were packaged into membrane electrodes and assembled into a battery. The low-humidity and high-density battery performance of the battery was tested at 100 kPa, 80°C, 20% RH with a stoichiometric ratio of 1.3 / 2.0. The results are as follows: Fig.10 shown.

[0088] Result analysis:

[0089] (1) GDL-0 is an untreated sample. GDL-1, GDL-2, and GDL-5 are gas diffusion layers obtained by fully impregnating with PVDF impregnation solution or a mixed impregnation solution of PVDF, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and polyethylene acrylic acid. GDL-6 is a gas diffusion layer obtained by coating PVDF on a substrate by a coating method.

[0090] Depend on Figure 2 , 3 As shown, the resistance at 1000 kPa (battery assembly pressure, i.e., the resistance of the GDL during use) is the same, while Figure 7 The resistance of GDL-6 has increased significantly.

[0091] like Fig. 9 As shown in the figure, the battery performance is: GDL-5>GDL-1>GDL-2>GDL-0>GDL-6. That is, the performance of GDL-1 and GDL-2 fully impregnated with PVDF impregnation liquid is better than that of untreated GDL-0, while the simple PVDF coating method not only fails to improve the battery performance, but decreases it.

[0092] Meanwhile, GDL-5>GDL-1, that is, the performance of the PVDF impregnation solution with added sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and polyethylene acrylic acid is greater than that of PVDF alone.

[0093] (2) GDL-0 is an untreated sample, and GDL-3 and GDL-4 are gas diffusion layers prepared using the impregnation method of the present application.

[0094] Depend on Figure 4 , 5As shown in the figure, the resistance under 1000kPa (battery assembly pressure, i.e. the resistance of GDL during use) is the same. GDL-7 and GDL-4 use the same impregnation solution and impregnation conditions, but the impregnation methods are different. Figure 8 The resistance of GDL-7 is significantly increased, indicating that the impregnation method of the present application can improve the hydrophilicity of the gas diffusion layer while ensuring that the resistance of the gas diffusion layer remains unchanged.

[0095] like Fig.10 As shown in the figure, the battery performance is: GDL-4>GDL-3>GDL-0>GDL-7. That is, the performance of GDL-3 and GDL-4 fully impregnated with HNO3 solution is better than that of untreated GDL-0; while the method of simply immersing in HNO3 solution not only fails to improve the battery performance, but decreases it.

[0096] The technical features of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0097] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present invention, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be pointed out that, for ordinary technicians in this field, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A method for preparing a gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability, characterized in that: At least the following steps are included: S1, preparing an impregnation solution with a concentration of 1-8wt%; The raw material of the impregnation liquid includes any one of a water repellent and a water retaining agent; S2, placing the gas diffusion layer in a fixture with upper and lower pressing plates, the two pressing plates are closely attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the gas diffusion layer, and then uniformly applying a pressure of 0.5-3 MPa to the surface of the gas diffusion layer; wherein the gas diffusion layer comprises a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, and the impregnation liquid prepared in step S1 is sequentially introduced from the first side and flows out from the second side using a pump, and t1 is the time for the impregnation liquid to flow from the first side to the second side; Then, the liquid is introduced from the second side and flows out from the first side. t2 is the time for the impregnation liquid to flow from the second side to the first side. The flow rate of the impregnation liquid is 20-120 mL / min. S3. After the impregnation is completed, stop supplying the liquid and let it stand to drain the excess impregnation liquid; place the fixture and the gas diffusion layer in step S2 in a nitrogen environment, sinter at 80-180°C for 0.5-90 min, release the pressure and take out the gas diffusion layer to obtain a gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability.

2. The method for preparing a gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability according to claim 1, characterized in that: The t1 is 20-100 min; the t2 is 20-100 min.

3. The method for preparing a gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability according to claim 1, characterized in that: The raw materials of the impregnation liquid include 1-8wt% of a water repellent and a mixture of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and polyethylene acrylic acid; the mass ratio of the water repellent, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and polyethylene acrylic acid is 1:(0.19-0.22):(0.28-0.32).

4. The method for preparing a gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability according to claim 3, characterized in that: The water repellent is at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene, and a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether; The water retaining agent is any one of nitric acid, hydrophilic SiO2, hydrophilic TiO2, hydrophilic SnO2, and hydrophilic organic materials.

5. The method for preparing a gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability according to claim 4, characterized in that: The hydrophilic organic material is any one of polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose and agarose.

6. The method for preparing a gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressing plate is an elastic pad with a hardness of 5-60 degrees.

7. The method for preparing a gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability according to claim 6, characterized in that: The material of the elastic pad is any one of silica gel, rubber, soft polyvinyl chloride and thermoplastic elastomer.

8. A gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability, characterized in that: The gas diffusion layer is prepared by the method for enhancing water management capability as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Use of the gas diffusion layer with enhanced water management capability as claimed in claim 8 in a fuel cell.

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