Gas diffusion layer comprising microporous layer including carbon having partially graphitized structure and radical scavenger additive, and fuel cell employing the same

Abstract

Provided a gas diffusion layer for fuel cells, the gas diffusion layer including: a carbon substrate; and a microporous layer formed on the carbon substrate, wherein the microporous layer comprises first carbon particles having a partially graphitized structure and a water-repellent binder resin binding the first carbon particles, and the microporous layer further comprises a cerium compound, a nitrogen-doped cerium compound, nitrogen-doped second carbon particles having a partially graphitized or non-graphitized structure, or a mixture of two or more, as a radical scavenger capable of removing hydrogen peroxide generated at a fuel cell open circuit potential or a higher potential. In the membrane electrode assembly and the fuel cell each employing the gas diffusion layer having excellent durability according to one or more embodiments, chemical or electrochemical degradation may be effectively prevented over a long period of time, and thus excellent electrochemical performance may be obtained over a long period of time. This leads to an extended lifetime of the fuel cell.