Performance Modeling and Simulation of Three-Dimensional Perforated PEM Fuel Cells

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have gained significant attention due to their excellent performance attributes and versatility in transportation applications and stationary power generation. However, challenges in water management, particularly within the gas diffusion layer (GDL) at the cathode side, continue to limit their performance and durability. This study investigates the role of GDLs, whose structure and properties are systematically tuned by laser perforation, for product water removal and overall cell performance. We present a 3D simulation framework to analyze the impact of the perforation geometry and density on distributions of reactants, reaction rates, water transport properties, and electrical performance. The mathematical model is solved using COMSOL Multiphysics. We will report and discuss results of parametric studies conducted to study the influence of the tunable GDL structure on permeability and conductivity and examine the impact of perforation geometry and density on cell performance. This computational approach provides valuable insights into the design of GDL for improved PEMFC performance, offering a robust and cost-effective alternative to experimental approaches.