Experimental Study on the Effect of Carbon Graphitization Degree and Pore Structure on the Electrochemical Durability of Gas Diffusion Layers

Gas diffusion layers (GDLs) in high-temperature, high-humidity, and high-electric-potential environments can be affected by the carbon corrosion and degradation of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) network structures, resulting in reduced reliability and hydrophobicity. By using cyclic voltammetry and offline characterization, a high-potential scanning of 1–1.5 V is applied to the GDL in the three-electrode system, considering the role of gradient graphitization degree and pore size structure in corrosion. Accelerating the electrochemical corrosion process of carbon and PTFE allows the identification of corrosion location, extent, and determinants. The results indicate that after 800 cycles of high-potential triangulation scanning, the graphitization of gas diffusion base has the most significant impact on the GDL’s durability. On the other hand, the durability of the GDL’s microporous layer is influenced by its small pore size structure rather than its graphitization degree. Furthermore, the corrosion process of GDLs with a small pore size structure tends to be relatively slow, providing a basis for GDL selection and durability prediction.