Open-cathode fuel cell power production increases significantly when gas diffusion media (GDM) compressive stress is increased to values greater than those recommended for forced-convection fuel cells by mitigating common shortcomings related to cell thermal and water management. Increasing GDM compression from 20% to 37% reduces cell contact resistances by an order of magnitude. This decreases ohmic resistance by 32% and increases current density by 31% at 0.6 V when GDM compression increases from 20% to 40%. Though the effect of GDM compression on contact and ohmic resistances is significant, higher compression also improves thermal management and cell hydration, which are quantified by decreasing cathode surface temperatures and lower charge transfer resistances. A disadvantage of increasing GDM compression is the onset of a rising mass transport resistance at the highest levels of GDM compression (37–40%). However, this effect is of secondary importance compared to the benefits of higher GDM compression on enhancing cell hydration and reducing ohmic resistance as higher GDM compression results in the greatest power production in all operating conditions tested.

中文翻译：

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气体扩散介质压缩对开放式阴极燃料电池的影响

当气体扩散介质（GDM）的压缩应力增加到大于强制对流燃料电池所建议的值时，通过减轻与电池热和水管理相关的常见缺陷，开放式阴极燃料电池的发电量会显着增加。将GDM压缩从20％增加到37％，可以将电池接触电阻降低一个数量级。当GDM压缩率从20％增加到40％时，在0.6 V时，欧姆电阻降低32％，电流密度增加31％。尽管GDM压缩对接触电阻和欧姆电阻的影响非常显着，但较高的压缩率也会改善热管理和电池水化作用，这可通过降低阴极表面温度和降低电荷转移电阻来量化。GDM压缩增加的一个缺点是在最高水平的GDM压缩（37–40％）时开始出现传质阻力增加。但是，与更高的GDM压缩对增强细胞水合作用和降低欧姆电阻的好处相比，此效果具有次要的重要性，因为更高的GDM压缩会在所有测试的工作条件下产生最大的发电量。