Effect of water transport in a PEFC at low temperatures operating with dryhydrogen

In this work. an experimental study of the polarisation response of a H-2/O -2 PEFC was carried out at low temperatures as a function of the membrane t hickness. Results were analysed using a simplified model describing the tra nsport of water in the membrane. It Is seen that the model equations lead t o good fittings of experimental current-potential data for polymer electrol yte fuel cells (PEFC) working with dry hydrogen and with Nafion(R) 115 and 117 membranes. For these membranes, limiting effects due to oxygen diffusio n are minimal and the water transport through the membrane is a limiting ef fect for the cell behaviour at high current densities. With the Nafion(R) 1 12 membrane, oxygen diffusion effects dominate the characteristics of the c urrent-potential curve. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.