Abstract
The presence of liquid water in the gas diffusion layer (GDL) of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) increases the resistance to oxygen flow toward the catalyst layer. Water flooding inside the GDL can affect the PEMFC performance, especially at higher current densities. Therefore, a good understanding of the effect of liquid water amount in the GDL is crucial to water management and, subsequently, to the performance of the fuel cell. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect of the wetting characteristics of the GDL on the water flooding and liquid water distribution inside the GDL. A one-dimensional theoretical model has been developed. This model is based on an analytical solution of liquid water saturation and oxygen flow in the porous GDL. Results indicate that the wetting characteristics of the GDL, the current density, and the porosity have a significant effect on the liquid water saturation and the performance of the PEMFC.