Advanced Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL) with Customized PTFE Hydrophobic Treatment
T28BC is an upgraded version of commercial MPL carbon papers (e.g., SGL 28BC, Freudenberg H23C6), modified with customized PTFE-based hydrophobic enhancements (single-side, double-side, surface, subsurface, or bulk treatment).
By applying original DuPont™ PTFE hydrophobic agents, T28BC offers significantly improved water repellency, drainage, and gas diffusion performance under high-humidity conditions, while maintaining conductivity and porosity.
T28BC is particularly suitable for fuel cells, water electrolysis, flow batteries, carbon capture/utilization, and CO₂ reduction systems operating under high humidity, high water production, or elevated pressure.
| Layer | Composition | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon paper substrate | Carbon fiber paper | Provides conductivity, porosity, and mechanical strength |
| Microporous layer (MPL) | Conductive carbon black + PTFE/FEP binder | Optimizes gas diffusion, prevents catalyst flooding |
| Hydrophobic enhancement | Surface (single/double, top/bottom) or bulk PTFE treatment | Improves contact angle and drainage, prevents pore flooding |
| Type | Features | Recommended Application |
|---|---|---|
| PTFE (DuPont™) | High chemical stability, strong hydrophobicity, thermal resistance, long durability | Standard for PEMFC/PEMWE/AEM systems |
| FEP (DuPont™) | Softer, lower melting point, suitable for lamination & composite structures | Flexible and multilayer electrode designs |
Single-side (surface-treated): PTFE coating visible on MPL or carbon paper surface; enhances drainage where directly exposed.
Single-side (subsurface-treated): PTFE penetrates beneath the surface while leaving outer surface conductive; suitable for balancing water management and conductivity.
Double-side: Both MPL and carbon paper sides hydrophobic; ideal for high-humidity, high-pressure environments.
Bulk-treated: PTFE penetrates the full thickness of the substrate, forming a fully hydrophobic structure; ideal for flow batteries, AEM electrolysis, and CO₂RR.
| Mode | PTFE Range |
|---|---|
| Single-side (MPL surface) | 1% – 50% |
| Single-side (Carbon surface) | 1% – 50% |
| Single-side (MPL subsurface) | 1% – 50% |
| Single-side (Carbon subsurface) | 1% – 50% |
| Double-side (MPL + Carbon surface) | 1% (0.5%+0.5%) – 50% (25%+25%) |
| Bulk hydrophobic treatment | 1% – 30% |
📌 Customization available: special PTFE loadings, large-area rolls, perforation, slotting, lamination.
📌 Standard sizes: 5×5 cm, 10×10 cm, 20×20 cm (others on request).
High hydrophobic contact angle (>120°), long-term durability
Reduced electrode flooding and water accumulation
Maintains gas diffusion and electrochemical performance under high humidity & current density
Enhances MEA stability and durability
Compatible with advanced hydrophobic/hydrophilic interface engineering
| Application | Benefits |
|---|---|
| PEMFC (high humidity) | Prevents water flooding at catalyst layer, improves drainage and runtime |
| PEMWE cathodes (high pressure electrolysis) | Creates strong hydrophobic barrier, prevents back-diffusion of liquid water |
| AEM electrolysis | Enhances water removal and gas diffusion, stabilizes HER/OER performance |
| CO₂RR | Ensures CO₂ gas accessibility, prevents catalyst flooding |
| Flooding-resistant MEAs | Improves drainage, reduces local water accumulation |
| Flow batteries & DSSCs | Controls electrolyte penetration, improves cycle stability |
| Gas-phase reactors & sensors | Stabilizes gas diffusion region, prevents liquid intrusion |
Ink Preparation
Catalyst: Pt/C (e.g., 60 wt% Pt)
Ionomer: Nafion® (5 wt%)
Solvent: DI water + IPA (1:1)
Ratio: Pt/C : Nafion : Solvent ≈ 1 : 0.3 : 20
Ultrasonicate 30–60 min for uniform ink.
Substrate Preparation
Cut T28BC to desired size.
Place MPL side facing up for spraying.
Optional: Plasma or ethanol pretreatment.
Spray-Coating
Distance: 10–15 cm
Substrate temp: 60–80 °C
Apply multiple thin layers to avoid cracking.
Drying & Heat-Treatment
Dry at 80 °C for 1 h.
Optional anneal: 130–140 °C, 1–2 h.
Assembly
Catalyst layer facing PEM or CO₂RR interface.
Hot-press at 130 °C, 1–2 MPa, 2–3 min.
Result: Uniform, durable GDE with enhanced conductivity, drainage, and stability.
MOQ: Single-sheet samples available
Sizes: 5×5 cm, 10×10 cm, 20×20 cm (customizable)
Lead time: Stock 1–3 days, custom 3–5 days
Packaging: Moisture-proof sealed bags
Technical datasheets & invoices available
🌍 International Orders & Shipping
📧 Email: contact@scimaterials.cn
📞 WhatsApp & Tel: +86 153-7569-8751
🔗 Place quick orders on our eBay / Amazon / Alibaba stores.
🌐 We ship worldwide via DHL, FedEx, UPS, SF-Express, or other requested carriers.
📦 Bulk quantities with discount available upon request.
💳 Payment methods accepted: Bank Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card (via Taobao), Alipay, WeChat Pay
📑 T28BC Hydrophobic-Enhanced Carbon Paper with Microporous Layer — Price List (USD)
| Enhancement Type | Hydrophobic PTFE Content | 5×5 cm | 10×10 cm | 20×20 cm | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Side (MPL Surface ) | 1% | $10 | $30 | $90 | Improves catalyst layer hydrophobicity |
| 5% | $12 | $36 | $108 | ||
| 10% | $14 | $42 | $126 | ||
| 20% | $18 | $54 | $162 | ||
| 30% | $20 | $60 | $180 | ||
| 40% | $30 | $90 | $270 | ||
| 50% | $40 | $120 | $360 | ||
| Single Side (MPL Subsurface) | 1% | $10 | $30 | $90 | Optimizes drainage beneath MPL while retaining conductivity |
| 5% | $12 | $36 | $108 | ||
| 10% | $14 | $42 | $126 | ||
| 20% | $18 | $54 | $162 | ||
| 30% | $20 | $60 | $180 | ||
| 40% | $30 | $90 | $270 | ||
| 50% | $40 | $120 | $360 | ||
| Single Side (Carbon Paper Surface) | 1% | $10 | $30 | $90 | Enhances drainage on flow field contact side |
| 5% | $12 | $36 | $108 | ||
| 10% | $14 | $42 | $126 | ||
| 20% | $18 | $54 | $162 | ||
| 30% | $20 | $60 | $180 | ||
| 40% | $30 | $90 | $270 | ||
| 50% | $40 | $120 | $360 | ||
| Single Side (Carbon Paper Subsurface) | 1% | $10 | $30 | $90 | Improves drainage at lower flow field interface |
| 5% | $12 | $36 | $108 | ||
| 10% | $14 | $42 | $126 | ||
| 20% | $18 | $54 | $162 | ||
| 30% | $20 | $60 | $180 | ||
| 40% | $30 | $90 | $270 | ||
| 50% | $40 | $120 | $360 | ||
| Double-Sided (Symmetrical Distribution) | 1% (0.5%+0.5%) | $10 | $30 | $90 | Recommended general solution |
| 5% (2.5%+2.5%) | $12 | $36 | $108 | ||
| 10% (5%+5%) | $14 | $42 | $126 | ||
| 20% (10%+10%) | $18 | $54 | $162 | ||
| 30% (15%+15%) | $20 | $60 | $180 | ||
| 40% (20%+20%) | $30 | $90 | $270 | ||
| 50% (25%+25%) | $40 | $120 | $360 | ||
| Bulk Hydrophobic Enhancement (Through-Thickness) | 1% | $10 | $30 | $90 | Entire structure hydrophobic; suitable for high water resistance |
| 5% | $12 | $36 | $108 | ||
| 10% | $14 | $42 | $126 | ||
| 20% | $18 | $54 | $162 | ||
| 30% | $20 | $60 | $180 |
📌 Notes
Size options: 5×5 cm, 10×10 cm, 20×20 cm (custom cutting and full rolls available).
Double-sided ratios: Percentages are total PTFE content, e.g., 20% (10%+10%) means 10% per side.
Bulk enhancement: PTFE penetrates entire carbon paper thickness; ideal for high humidity, high pressure, or anti-flooding applications (e.g., PEMWE, flow batteries).
MOQ: Single-piece orders accepted.
Lead time: In-stock items ship in 1–3 days; custom orders in 3–5 days.
🧩 Hydrophobic Enhancement Types
| Type | Processing Location | Suitable Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Single Side (MPL Surface) | MPL surface or shallow layer | Improves catalyst interface drainage, reduces flooding |
| Single Side (Carbon Paper Surface) | Gas channel contact side | Improves drainage and anti-flooding at flow field |
| Double-Sided (Standard) | Both MPL and carbon paper surfaces | Balanced hydrophobicity, suitable for most fuel cells |
| Bulk (Through-Thickness) | Entire thickness | Extreme water management, liquid flow batteries, PEMWE |
Partial references citing our materials (from Google Scholar)
Carbon Dioxide Reduction
1. ACS Nano Strain Relaxation in Metal Alloy Catalysts Steers the Product Selectivity of Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction
The bipolar membrane (Fumasep FBM) in this paper was purchased from SCI Materials Hub, which was used in rechargeable Zn-CO2 battery tests. The authors reported a strain relaxation strategy to determine lattice strains in bimetal MNi alloys (M = Pd, Ag, and Au) and realized an outstanding CO2-to-CO Faradaic efficiency of 96.6% with outstanding activity and durability toward a Zn-CO2 battery.
2. Front. Chem. Boosting Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Reduction on Atomically Dispersed Nickel Catalyst
In this paper, Vulcan XC-72R was purchased from SCI Materials Hub. Vulcan XC 72R carbon is the most common catalyst support used in the anode and cathode electrodes of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC), Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFC), Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC), Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC), Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFC), and many more!
3. Adv. Mater. Partially Nitrided Ni Nanoclusters Achieve Energy-Efficient Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction to CO at Ultralow Overpotential
An AEM membrane (Sustainion X37-50 Grade RT, purchased from SCI Materials Hub) was activated in 1 M KOH for 24 h, washed with ultra-purity water prior to use.
4. Adv. Funct. Mater. Nanoconfined Molecular Catalysts in Integrated Gas Diffusion Electrodes for High-Current-Density CO2 Electroreduction
In this paper (Supporting Information), an anion exchanged membrane (Fumasep FAB-PK-130 obtained from SCI Materials Hub (www.scimaterials.cn)) was used to separate the catholyte and anolyte chambers.
SCI Materials Hub: we also recommend our Fumasep FAB-PK-75 for the use in a flow cell.
5. Appl. Catal. B Efficient utilization of nickel single atoms for CO2 electroreduction by constructing 3D interconnected nitrogen-doped carbon tube network
In this paper, the Nafion 117 membrane was obtained from SCI Materials Hub.
In this paper, Proton exchange membrane (Nafion 117), Nafion D520, and Toray 060 carbon paper were purchased from SCI Materials Hub.
7. National Science Review Confinement of ionomer for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction via efficient mass transfer pathways
An anion exchange membrane (PiperION-A15-HCO3) was obtained from SCI Materials Hub.
8. Catalysis Communications Facilitating CO2 electroreduction to C2H4 through facile regulating {100} & {111} grain boundary of Cu2O
Carbon paper (TGPH060), membrane solution (Nafion D520), and ionic membrane (Nafion N117) were obtained from Wuhu Eryi Material Technology Co., Ltd (a company under SCI Materials Hub).
Batteries
1. J. Mater. Chem. A Blocking polysulfides with a Janus Fe3C/N-CNF@RGO electrode via physiochemical confinement and catalytic conversion for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries
Graphene oxide (GO) in this paper was obtained from SCI Materials Hub. The authors introduced a Janus Fe3C/N-CNF@RGO electrode consisting of 1D Fe3C decorated N-doped carbon nanofibers (Fe3C/N-CNFs) side and 2D reduced graphene oxide (RGO) side as the free-standing carrier of Li2S6 catholyte to improve the overall electrochemical performance of Li-S batteries.
This paper used more than 10 kinds of materials from SCI Materials Hub and the authors gave detailed properity comparsion.
The commercial IEMs of Fumasep FAB-PK-130 and Nafion N117 were obtained from SCI Materials Hub.
Gas diffusion layers of GDL340 (CeTech) and SGL39BC (Sigracet) and Nafion dispersion (Nafion D520) were obtained from SCI Materials Hub.
Zn foil (100 mm thickness) and Zn powder were obtained from the SCI Materials Hub.
Commercial 20% Pt/C, 40% Pt/C and IrO2 catalysts were also obtained from SCI Materials Hub.
3. Journal of Energy Chemistry Vanadium oxide nanospheres encapsulated in N-doped carbon nanofibers with morphology and defect dual-engineering toward advanced aqueous zinc-ion batteries
In this paper, carbon cloth (W0S1011) was obtained from SCI Materials Hub. The flexible carbon cloth matrix guaranteed the stabilization of the electrode and improved the conductivity of the cathode.
4. Energy Storage Materials Defect-abundant commercializable 3D carbon papers for fabricating composite Li anode with high loading and long life
The 3D carbon paper (TGPH060 raw paper) were purchased from SCI Materials Hub.
5. Nanomaterials A Stable Rechargeable Aqueous Zn–Air Battery Enabled by Heterogeneous MoS2 Cathode Catalysts
Nafion D520 (5 wt%), and carbon paper (GDL340) were received from SCI-Materials-Hub.
Carbon cloth (W0S1011) and other electrochemical consumables required for air cathode were provided by SCI Materials Hub.
Oxygen Reduction Reaction
1. J. Chem. Eng. Superior Efficiency Hydrogen Peroxide Production in Acidic Media through Epoxy Group Adjacent to Co-O/C Active Centers on Carbon Black
In this paper, Vulcan XC 72 carbon black, ion membrane (Nafion N115, 127 μL), Nafion solution (D520, 5 wt%), and carbon paper (AvCarb GDS 2230 and Spectracarb 2050A-1050) were purchased from SCI Materials Hub.
2. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science Gaining insight into the impact of electronic property and interface electrostatic field on ORR kinetics in alloy engineering via theoretical prognostication and experimental validation
The 20 wt% Pt3M (M = Cr, Co, Cu, Pd, Sn, and Ir) were purchased from SCI Materials Hub. This work places emphasis on the kinetics of the ORR concerning Pt3M (M = Cr, Co, Cu, Pd, Sn, and Ir) catalysts, and integrates theoretical prognostication and experimental validation to illuminate the fundamental principles of alloy engineering.
Water Electrolysis
1. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy Gold as an efficient hydrogen isotope separation catalyst in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis
The cathodic catalysts of Pt/C (20 wt%, 2–3 nm) and Au/C (20 wt%, 4–5 nm) were purchased from SCI Materials Hub.
2. Small Science Silver Compositing Boosts Water Electrolysis Activity and Durability of RuO2 in a Proton-Exchange-Membrane Water Electrolyzer
Two fiber felts (0.35 mm thickness, SCI Materials Hub) were used as the porous transport layers at both the cathode and the anode.
3. Advanced Functional Materials Hierarchical Crystalline/Amorphous Heterostructure MoNi/NiMoOx for Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution with Industry-Level Activity and Stability
Anion-exchange membrane (FAA-3-PK-130) was obtained from SCI Materials Hub website.
Fuel Cells
1. Polymer Sub-two-micron ultrathin proton exchange membrane with reinforced mechanical strength
Gas diffusion electrode (60% Pt/C, Carbon paper) was purchased from SCI Materials Hub.
Characterization
1. Chemical Engineering Journal Electrochemical reconstitution of Prussian blue analogue for coupling furfural electro-oxidation with photo-assisted hydrogen evolution reaction
An Au nanoparticle film was deposited on the total reflecting plane of a single reflection ATR crystal (SCI Materials Hub, Wuhu, China) via sputter coater.
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