The Membranes with Modified Surface to Stabilize Water Balance of Fuel Cell under Low Humidity Conditions: A Model Study

The problem of water management in a fuel cell with a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) under low humidity conditions is most acute. The addition of adsorbents to a membrane improves the water-holding properties of PEMs. A stationary one-dimensional computer model is developed to analyze the distribution of water in the layers of membrane electrode assembly. An ionomer layer modified with an adsorbent is taken into account to increase the concentration of water in the membrane. The spatial distribution of the concentration of water in the catalytic layer and PEM for a standard membrane and a membrane containing a surface modified layer is obtained. The best distribution of water in the membrane is achieved through the addition of a layer with a threefold increase in water capacity from the side adjacent to a cathode catalytic layer.