Visualization of Water Distribution in a Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Using an X-ray Imaging Technique

X 선 영상기법을 이용한 고분자 전해질형 연료전지의 수분분포 가시화

Water management for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC) has been receiving large attention as an important issue in practical applications. Proper water management is vital to achieve high performance and durability of PEFC. In this study, an X-ray imaging technique was employed to visualize the water distribution in a PEFC quantitatively. X-ray images of the PEFC components with and without water are distinguished clearly. From the visualized X-ray images, we could confirm the water distribution in the region between separator and gas diffusion layer (GDL). In addition, the contact angle of water in the micro-channels was also clearly visualized..