Research on Liquid Water Transport for Self-humidifying Membrane of PEMFC

The proton exchange membrane could be sufficiently hydrated when a proton exchange membrane fuel cell(PEMFC) operated normally.Based on Springer model,the equation of the distribution of water molecules number bonded with SO4 in the membrane was derived.Considering the effects of the membrane thickness,operating temperature and current density,the water transfer in the membrane was analyzed.Conclusions were drawn that the thinner the membrane can be more easily self-hydrated;the thinner the membrane was and the higher the current density was,the less the time was needed to hydrate the membrane;when the thickness was less than 15 μm and current density was higher than 0.6 A/cm2,the time was decreased drastically.The conclusions were helpful for PEMFC's design and operation.