Numerical Simulation of Liquid Water Behavior in PEFCs with Different GDL Wettability

Abstract

In this study, an unsteady numerical simulation of PEFCs using the VOF method was performed to investigate the relationship between wettability of gas diffusion layer (GDL) substrates and liquid water drainage. The simulations were conducted with contact angle of 60°, 90°, 110°, 150°. The simulation results showed that the more hydrophobic is, the more liquid water movement was facilitated. Also, in the case of higher contact angles, the contact area between liquid water and substrates was decreased, and the area of gas-liquid interface was increased, and it was observed that the curvature of gas-liquid interface increased.