Effects of anode and cathode perforated flow field plates on proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance

The effects of both anode and cathode perforated flow field configurations on proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance are studied herein through electrochemical polarization techniques, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The results demonstrate that serpentine flow field configuration in both anodes and cathodes is the best arrangement for cell performance (serpentine/serpentine, perforated/perforated, and serpentine/perforated). An electrochemical impedance spectroscopy examination shows that the serpentine/serpentine flow plate configuration results in a significant reduction in charge transfer resistance in a high current density (low voltage) regime. It further indicates that in a serpentine/serpentine flow pattern, a maximum electrochemical area is obtained with a higher Pt utilization of about 70% and is secured with full hydration at a cell temperature of 80 degrees C. Finally, energy and exergy efficiencies analyses were also made. Data have been extracted and presented. Copyright (c) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.