Operation of a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell under non-humidified conditions using thin cast Nafion membranes with different gas-diffusion media

Thin membranes in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) enhance the back diffusion of water from cathode to anode and allow operation of the PEMFC under dry conditions. In this work, thin cast Nafion membranes are prepared to operate the PEMFC under non-humidified conditions at various temperatures. Also, the effect of gas-diffusion media (GDM) on cell performance is examined using two different GDM that have distinct physical properties. Single cells with thin cast membranes provide better performance than those with commercially available Nafion 112. This improvement is due to better back-diffusion of water and lower membrane resistance. The performance of cell using GDM with low porosity is superior to that of a cell using GDM with high porosity. The fuel cell can be operated successfully under non-humidified conditions with a thin cast membrane and low porosity GDM.