A New Paradigm for PEMFC Ultra-Thin Electrode Water Management at Low Temperatures

In this paper, we provide initial results of a novel method which dramatically improved the performance of ultra-thin electrode polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells under highly water-condensing operating conditions, realized via modification of the anode gas diffusion layer and utilization of reduced anode reactant pressures, including sub-atmospheric pressure down to 20kPa. Measurements indicated that the sub-atmospheric anode reactant acted to greatly reduce the water flux exiting out the cathode, likely reducing cathode water flooding and oxygen transport limitations.