Experimental study of a novel piezoelectric proton exchange membrane fuel cell with nozzle and diffuser

The newly designed proton exchange membrane fuel cell with a piezoelectric actuation structure, called a PZT-PEMFC, can force air into an air-breathing PEMFC system. Previous studies indicated the PZT-PEMFC may solve the water-flooding problem and improve cell performance. In this experimental study, a PZT-PEMFC with nozzle and diffuser, PZT-PEMFC-ND, is built to verify the previous theoretical study. This innovative design may direct air flow into the cathode channel through the diffuser and prevent air backflow without valves. The performance test includes an analysis of PZT vibration frequencies, cell operation temperatures, gravity effect, and designs of the nozzle and diffuser. The optimal operating temperature for the PZT-PEMFC-ND is 323 K to avoid the risk of higher temperatures drying out the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The optimal vibration frequency of the PZT-PEMFC-ND is 180 Hz, which may pump in enough air and solve the water-flooding problem in the cathode channel. This study also concludes that the innovative design of the PZT-PEMFC-ND, may reach the performance of an open cathode stack configuration, 0.18 W cm−2, without an external air supply device.