Investigating the vapour transport phenomena inside the cathode gas diffusion layer media by controlling local temperature gradient inside an operating proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Water management is critical for the function of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The local through-thickness temperature gradient cathode gas diffusion layer (GDL) affect water a PEMFC. That has been known and targeted discussion several years. In this study, effects inside PEMFC was investigated by controlling it externally with fine (testing diameter about 30 ?m) thin (thickness 6 thin-film thermocouple (TFTC), which developed using micro electromechanical system (MEMS) technology. addition, X-ray computed tomography (CT) chosen as method to visualise an operating simultaneously measurement liquid distribution firstly accomplished. conclusion, in case where catalyst coated (CCM) side higher than that channel side, performance drastically decreased. difference caused preferential sites condensation.