In this paper, a commercial gas diffusion layer is used, to quantitatively study the correlation between its compressive characteristics and its operating temperature. In polymer electrode membrane fuel cells, the gas diffusion layer plays a vital role in the membrane electrode assembly, over a wide range of operating temperatures. Therefore, understanding the thermo-mechanical performance of gas diffusion layers is crucial to design fuel cells. In this research, a series of compressive tests were conducted on a commercial gas diffusion layer, at three different temperatures. Additionally, a microscopical investigation was carried out with the help of a scanning electron microscope, to study the evolution and development of the microstructural damages in the gas diffusion layers which is caused by the thermo-mechanical load. From the obtained results, it could be concluded that the compressive stiffness of the commercial gas diffusion layer depends, to a great extent, on its operational temperature.
Keywords: compressive characteristics; gas diffusion layer; microstructure; polymer electrode membrane fuel cell; thermo-mechanics.