2013 Volume 61 Pages 161-172
Much attempt was made to improve PEFC performance to optimize its operating condition and its structure by experimental and numerical trials. One of the most critical issues about PEFC improvement is the durability enhancement at its membrane electrode assembly (MEA) to keep its robust control. The objective of this study is to keep the optimal water distribution at MEA with applying the hydrophilic anode support. In this study, the influence of modification to use two hydrophilic support materials is calculated by the case of weak hydrophilized carbon support and strong hydrophilic SnO2 support. The distribution of liquid water shows that hydrophilic anode support has the effect to hold the liquid water in anode catalyst layer under the low humidification, and water saturation ratio in cathode catalyst layer is also controlled by the use of hydrophilic materials. Hydrophilic anode support works as a water transport pathway to anode across polymer electrolyte membrane. Its effect also prevents from drying-up of the anode and flooding of the cathode.
