Imaging of water droplets formed during PEFC operation on GDLs with different pore sizes

Gas diffusion layer (GDL) is an important component for the performance of polymer electrolyte fuel cells controlling the gas flow and the water transport. In this study, the real-time formation process of water droplets on two GDLs with different pore sizes was imaged using a CCD camera during the cell operation. A porphyrin luminescent dye was coated on the GDLs to clarify the shape of the water droplets. On the GDL with a smaller pore size, the droplets were distributed uniformly on the GDL in the flow channel at the cathode. On the GDL with a larger pore size, the water droplets were larger and formed mainly near the ribs of the flow channel, and the droplets were observed to move slowly towards the gas outlet. The difference in the formation of water droplets were explained by the difference in the partial air flow inside the GDLs along the gas channel.