Direct Water Removal in Gas Diffusion Layer of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells by a Flexible Electroosmotic Pump

An electroosmotic pump is a non-mechanical pump that can remove water by applied electric field. A flexible electroosmotic (EO) pump was directly attached to a gas diffusion layer (GDL) on the cathode side of a miniature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The operation of EO pump improved the voltage-current response of a PEMFC. Especially, the increase of limiting current was observed. We assume the reduced flooding in GDL was achieved by the operation of EO pump. Further investigation with AC impedance spectroscopy support the assumption as the reduced mass transport resistance was observed.