Abstract
UDC 544.6.076.242; 621.352
DOI https://doi.org/10.52577/eom.2026.62.4.75
The study aimed at identifying the dependence of the current density of hydrogen-air proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (HEMFCs) on gas diffusion layer parameters: thickness and the presence of a microporous layer. Carbon paper with a thickness of 180 to 235 μm was used as the gas diffusion layer of the membrane-electrode assembly (MEA). Polarization curves were obtained to evaluate the electrochemical characteristics of the MEA. The results of the study showed that the thickness of the gas diffusion layer affects the performance of the HEMFCs. Increasing the carbon paper thickness contributed to an increase in the current density due to an effective removal of water from the catalytic layer, preventing flooding of the catalytic layer.
Keywords: gas diffusion layer, carbon paper, membrane-electrode assembly, hydrogen-air fuel cell, current density.