Comparative studies on performance of single cell and PEMFC stack

Abstract

Single-cell, 2-cell and 3-cell of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) with an active area of 9 cm2 per cell have been fabricated and characterized its performance and electrochemical properties. The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) was prepared by hot pressing commercial gas diffusion electrodes (Pt loading 0.5 mg/cm2) on pre-treated Nafion 117 membrane. The experimental results are presented as polarization and power output curves which show the effects of varying H2/O2 back pressures on the PEMFC performance. Three varying H2/O2 volumetric flow-rates for three different cell stacks were employed based on the optimal condition to produce good performance of stack. Cell performances for single cell, 2-cell, or 3-cell PEMFCs are slightly comparable with the power output 1.2-1.3 W in average. Enhancing back pressure induces increasing performance PEMFCs as indicated by changing the power from 1.19 W (open end) to 1.33W (15 psi).