Effect of Gas Diffusion Layer Compression and Inlet Relative Humidity on PEMFC Performance

Gas diffusion layer (GDL) compression is important parameter of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performance to have an effect on contact resistance, reactants transfer to electrode, water content in membrane and electrode assembly (MEA). In this study, the effect of GDL compression on fuel cell performance was investigated for commercial products, JNT20-A3. Polarization curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was performed at different relative humidity and compression ratio using electrode area of 25 cm(2) unit cell. The contact resistance was reduced to 8, 30 m Omega . cm(2) and membrane hydration was increased as GDL compression increase from 18.6% to 38.1% at relative humidity of 100 and 25%, respectively. It was identified through ohmic resistance change at relative humidity conditions that as GDL compression increased, water back-diffusion from cathode and electrolyte membrane hydration was increased because GDL porosity was decreased.