Feasibility of in-plane GDL structuration: Impact on current density distribution in large-area Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

An S++® electronic card inserted in the stack is used to measure the current distribution within the cell, which is an indicator of the local electrochemical reaction conditions. The results of the current distribution measurements together with the cell performances obtained for the structured and the homogenous MEAs indicate that the electrode in-plane structuration is effective in reducing the functioning heterogeneities within the cell under specific operating conditions.