Multiple effects of non-uniform channel width along the cathode flow direction based on a single PEM fuel cell: An experimental investigation

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell is considered to be one of the promising alternatives to conventional engines in the future as on-board vehicle energy conversion device. In this paper, three single PEM fuel cells with different cathode flow field plates (FFPs), which vary from each other on the channel width along the cathode flow direction, are assembled. Polarization and power density curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) fitting results are utilized to evaluate the output performance. Moreover, the economic characteristic of three single cells is calculated based on the assumption of parasitic pumping power generated by air compressor. Finally, the durability of three single cells is assessed based on comparison of electrochemical surface area (ECSA) obtained from analysis of cyclic voltammetry (CV) method. The comprehensive experimental results reveal that cell 0.8-1.0-1.2 exhibits better performance under high RH conditions and cell 1.0-1.0-1.0 is more favorable under a low RH condition. The mechanism behind the phenomenon of performance variation is analyzed and attributed to the switching of dominating factor from two-phase flow velocity to spatial availability degree under various conditions of RH. • Characteristics of non-uniform cathode channels were investigated. • Narrow upstream configuration is preferred under high RH condition. • Cathode with a uniform flow plate is more favorable under low RH condition. • The dominating factor affecting comprehensive performance changes with RH values.