3D Water Management in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells toward Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

Abstract

A multiscale water visualization technique for polymer electrolyte fuel cells was established by using operando multiprobe radiography with pulsed spallation neutron and synchrotron X-ray sources. The three-dimensional water distribution revealed that water back-diffusion from the cathode to the anode significantly contributes to the “drainability” of practical polymer electrolyte fuel cells toward fuel cell electric vehicles.