Analysis of Water Transport in the Vicinity of Micro-Porous Layer in PEFC With Freezing Method

This paper examines the role of micro porous layers (MPLs) in Polymer Electrode Fuel Cells (PEFCs) by observing the cross-sectional distribution of condensed water inside a cathode side MPL In addition, the forms of water condensation in the vicinity of a MPL are also compared between two places, under flow channels and under lands, by observing both inside the MPL and an interface between the MPL and a catalyst layer (CL). The freezing method and a cryo-scanning electronic microscope (cryo-SEM) are used for the observation. The result under the non-flooded condition shows that condensed water does not accumulate inside the MPL. This result indicates that the water produced by PEFC power generation passes through the MPL as vapor state under non-flooded conditions.