Improvement of PEFC Performance Stability under High and Low Humidification Conditions by Use of a Gas Diffusion Layer with Interdigitated Gas Flow Channels

Abstract

A new design concept for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, which included a flat-metal separator and a gas diffusion layer (GDL) with interdigitated gas flow channels (FCs), was developed in our previous research. This design led to improved performance compared to that obtained with the conventional design of a metal separator with FCs and a flat GDL. Applications of the interdigitated gas flow channels formed on the separator, however, have conventionally faced two issues associated with low performance: one occurs under high humidity conditions because of nonuniform gas flow due to accumulated water in the GDL and the other is caused by forced water discharge from the GDL under low humidity conditions. In this study, both conventional and new cell designs were tested with single cells of 1 cm2 active area, and the performances were compared at high and low humidity with various conditions of gas supply. From these results, we have found that the new design of the GDL with interdigitated channels has a clear advantage over the conventional interdigitated cell in being able to maintain high performance under conditions of both water excess and water shortage.

All-Perfluorosulfonated-Ionomer Composite Membranes Containing Blow-Spun Fibers: Effect of a Thin Fiber Framework on Proton Conductivity and Mechanical Properties

“…We evaluated the PEFC performance of the PFSA composite PEMs membranes in a single cell FC using a MEA with an area of 1 cm 2 . − Herein, the PFSA composite membrane (15 wt % thin fiber, 39 μm thick) with the highest proton conductivity and mechanical properties and pristine PFSA membrane (36 μm thick) were used. Figure shows the polarization curves of FCs using the PFSA composite and pristine PFSA membranes under three conditions.…”

A New Integrated GDL with Wavy Channel and Tunneled Rib for High Power Density PEMFC at Low Back Pressure and Wide Humidity

“…Many studies have found that the mass transfer and water management of a fuel cell can be improved by changing the flow field structure in the bipolar plate, as shown in Figure 1 a . [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ] For example, multi‐serpentine flow fields, [ 27 ] parallel flow fields, [ 28 ] cross‐type flow fields [ 29 ] and various bionic flow fields have been designed and prepared. [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ] To further enhance the water management capability, some researchers have tried porous flow fields such as metal foam [ 35 , 36 ] or graphene foam.…”

“…[ 9 ] Moreover, an integrated GDL with a structure that integrates flow field and GDL has shown good performance in enhancing the gas transfer performance and water management capabilities of fuel cells in Figure 1b . [ 9 , 25 , 26 , 35 , 39 ] However, This integrated GDL still has some disadvantages. First, the bottom of the common integrated GDL flow channel is relatively dense.…”