Mass-Transport Capability
Evaluated through Gurley values or equivalent gas-permeability parameters. This dimension affects reactant delivery, water-vapor transport and liquid-water discharge.

The Freudenberg H14 series is a family of high-performance gas diffusion layers developed for low-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells. The series combines a thin carbon-fiber substrate, a single-sided microporous layer, PTFE hydrophobic treatment and tightly controlled electrical resistance.
Freudenberg H14 carbon papers are engineered as multifunctional electrode components rather than simple conductive carbon substrates. Their performance is determined by the interaction between gas transport, liquid-water removal, electrical conductivity and mechanical compression.
SCI Materials Hub supplies H14-series GDL materials and organizes their principal properties into a standardized engineering framework. This allows researchers, MEA developers and fuel-cell stack engineers to compare grades according to the parameters most relevant to practical operation.
SCI Materials Hub evaluates the H14 series through three connected engineering dimensions.
Evaluated through Gurley values or equivalent gas-permeability parameters. This dimension affects reactant delivery, water-vapor transport and liquid-water discharge.
Through-plane resistance influences electrode ohmic loss, especially under high current density and high compression.
Compressed thickness and tensile strength determine sealing compatibility, contact uniformity and resistance to edge damage during MEA assembly.
Units have been organized as mm, g/m2, mΩ·cm2, N/cm and Gurley seconds or equivalent gas-permeability values.
| Grade | Thickness @ 1 MPa | Basis Weight g/m2 | Through-Plane Resistance mΩ·cm2 | Gas Permeability / Gurley | Tensile Strength N/cm | PTFE Treatment | MPL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H14C7 | 0.017 mm | 100 | 6.0 | — | 14 | Yes | Single-sided |
| H14C9 | 0.180 mm | 100 | 7.0 | — | 14 | Yes | Single-sided |
| H14C10 | 0.170 mm | 97 | 5.0 | 1.4 μm2 equivalent | >14 | Yes | Single-sided |
| H14C14 | 0.145 mm | — | 5.5 | 0.5 s | >14 | Yes | Single-sided |
| H14C15 | 0.145 mm | — | 5.5 | 15 s | >14 | Yes | Single-sided |
| H14CX483 | 0.180 mm | — | 6.0 | 1.0 μm2 equivalent | >14 | Yes | Single-sided |
| H14CX653 | 0.185 mm | 94 | 6.0 | 1.0 μm2 | >14 | Yes | Single-sided |
The grades can be grouped into three practical categories according to their primary design objective.
Designed to reduce through-plane resistance and minimize the electrical contribution of the GDL to total cell resistance.
These grades provide a balanced combination of substrate thickness, gas diffusion and MPL-assisted water control.
Intended for systems where rapid reactant delivery and controlled liquid-water removal are critical to maintaining high-load performance.
The MPL improves gas distribution at the catalyst-layer interface, supports more uniform current generation and reduces the risk of localized liquid-water accumulation.
PTFE modifies the wetting behavior of the carbon-fiber network, helping control water retention and create more stable discharge pathways from the electrode.
Lower thickness can reduce electrical path length, but also decreases mechanical tolerance. Final performance therefore depends on matching the GDL to the gasket and compression design.
Final selection should also consider operating pressure, humidification, gas stoichiometry, flow-field geometry, catalyst loading and cell compression.
During standard PEMFC MEA assembly, the smooth MPL-coated surface should face the catalyst layer, while the fibrous carbon-paper surface should face the flow field or bipolar plate.
H14C7 is positioned as a more extremely thin, low-resistance option. H14C10 provides a more balanced combination of low resistance and gas-transport stability.
GDL selection is a multiparameter decision. A very thin, low-resistance structure may provide less mechanical tolerance or less water-storage capacity. Under highly humidified conditions, the overall pore structure and liquid-water transport can be more important than resistance alone.
An MPL is strongly recommended for most PEMFC electrodes because it improves the interface between the macroporous substrate and the catalyst layer. It may not be required for basic gas permeability testing. In CO? electrolysis, an MPL is often beneficial, but its hydrophobicity and wetting behavior must be optimized for the specific electrolyte and operating mode.
Common causes include:
H14C14 and H14C15 may be considered where a stable gas–liquid interface and MPL-supported reaction uniformity are required. However, electrolyte breakthrough, salt precipitation, hydrophobicity and pressure balance should be validated for the actual electrolyzer configuration.
Prolonged direct ultrasonication is not recommended. It can damage the carbon-fiber network, detach the MPL or alter the treated surface. Catalyst ink should normally be dispersed separately before coating.
Research-size carbon paper GDL supplied by SCI Materials Hub.
Choose your preferred international marketplace to view available products and purchasing options.
Reference retail prices for standard research-size, single-sheet cutting.
| Grade | 5 × 5 cm | 10 × 10 cm | 20 × 20 cm |
|---|---|---|---|
| H14C7 | US$99.80 | — | — |
| H14C9 | US$99.80 | — | — |
| H14C10 | US$99.80 | — | — |
| H14C14 | US$20.00 | US$70.00 | US$240.00 |
| H14C15 | US$20.00 | US$70.00 | US$240.00 |
| H14Cx483 | US$39.80 | US$119.80 | US$359.80 |
| H14Cx653 | US$39.80 | US$119.80 | US$359.80 |
Contact our team for full sheets, bulk orders, custom cutting, institutional purchasing and MEA material matching.
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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