Research on the mechanisms of contact resistance and structural deformation impact on PEMFC performance
The manufacturing and assembly processes of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are associated with certain challenges. The clamping force exerted during the assembly process plays a crucial role in the functioning of the PEMFCs. The associated mechanisms are complicated and remain unexplor...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-10-01
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| Series: | Case Studies in Thermal Engineering |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25011050 |
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| author | Teng Ma Guoxi Jing Chengbo Hu Yanzhou Qin Xiuxiu Sun |
| author_facet | Teng Ma Guoxi Jing Chengbo Hu Yanzhou Qin Xiuxiu Sun |
| author_sort | Teng Ma |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The manufacturing and assembly processes of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are associated with certain challenges. The clamping force exerted during the assembly process plays a crucial role in the functioning of the PEMFCs. The associated mechanisms are complicated and remain unexplored. Hence, this study investigated the mechanisms whereby the clamping force influences the PEMFC in terms of the structural deformation of the membrane electrode assembly, electrical contact resistance, and thermal contact resistance (TCR). Considering the influence of the clamping force on reactant flow, the ideal compression level was identified to be 1 MPa for optimum PEMFC performance, electron transfer, hydrothermal management, and reaction inhomogeneity. Applying this clamping force during the assembly of a single cell into a stack can produce a good thermal distribution uniformity. Meanwhile, the TCR significantly affected the thermal transfer in the through-plane direction and the hydration effect of the membrane in the cell. The TCR exhibited a 1 %–5 % impact on the cell performance, which is considered non-negligible in the development of PEMFCs. Our findings can aid the manufacturing of PEMFCs from the standpoints of effective thermal management and reaction completion. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6828e864c05a46d1811ffe810d2bf55e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2214-157X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-10-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Studies in Thermal Engineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-6828e864c05a46d1811ffe810d2bf55e2025-08-23T04:48:25ZengElsevierCase Studies in Thermal Engineering2214-157X2025-10-017410684510.1016/j.csite.2025.106845Research on the mechanisms of contact resistance and structural deformation impact on PEMFC performanceTeng Ma0Guoxi Jing1Chengbo Hu2Yanzhou Qin3Xiuxiu Sun4School of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300400, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Power Transmission and Safety Technology for New Energy Vehicles, Tianjin, 300400, ChinaSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300400, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Power Transmission and Safety Technology for New Energy Vehicles, Tianjin, 300400, China; Corresponding author. School of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300400, ChinaSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300400, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Power Transmission and Safety Technology for New Energy Vehicles, Tianjin, 300400, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Engines, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300350, China; Corresponding author.School of Mechanical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300400, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Power Transmission and Safety Technology for New Energy Vehicles, Tianjin, 300400, ChinaThe manufacturing and assembly processes of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are associated with certain challenges. The clamping force exerted during the assembly process plays a crucial role in the functioning of the PEMFCs. The associated mechanisms are complicated and remain unexplored. Hence, this study investigated the mechanisms whereby the clamping force influences the PEMFC in terms of the structural deformation of the membrane electrode assembly, electrical contact resistance, and thermal contact resistance (TCR). Considering the influence of the clamping force on reactant flow, the ideal compression level was identified to be 1 MPa for optimum PEMFC performance, electron transfer, hydrothermal management, and reaction inhomogeneity. Applying this clamping force during the assembly of a single cell into a stack can produce a good thermal distribution uniformity. Meanwhile, the TCR significantly affected the thermal transfer in the through-plane direction and the hydration effect of the membrane in the cell. The TCR exhibited a 1 %–5 % impact on the cell performance, which is considered non-negligible in the development of PEMFCs. Our findings can aid the manufacturing of PEMFCs from the standpoints of effective thermal management and reaction completion.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25011050PEMFCClamping forceStructural deformationContact resistanceWater and thermal management |
| spellingShingle | Teng Ma Guoxi Jing Chengbo Hu Yanzhou Qin Xiuxiu Sun Research on the mechanisms of contact resistance and structural deformation impact on PEMFC performance Case Studies in Thermal Engineering PEMFC Clamping force Structural deformation Contact resistance Water and thermal management |
| title | Research on the mechanisms of contact resistance and structural deformation impact on PEMFC performance |
| title_full | Research on the mechanisms of contact resistance and structural deformation impact on PEMFC performance |
| title_fullStr | Research on the mechanisms of contact resistance and structural deformation impact on PEMFC performance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Research on the mechanisms of contact resistance and structural deformation impact on PEMFC performance |
| title_short | Research on the mechanisms of contact resistance and structural deformation impact on PEMFC performance |
| title_sort | research on the mechanisms of contact resistance and structural deformation impact on pemfc performance |
| topic | PEMFC Clamping force Structural deformation Contact resistance Water and thermal management |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214157X25011050 |
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