Direct measurement of current density under land and two channels in PEM fuel cells with interdigitated flow fields

Interdigitated flow field is one of the commonly used designs in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. The knowledge of how the current density differs under the inlet channel, the land and the outlet channel, is critical for flow field design and optimization. In this study, the current densities under the inlet channel, the land and the outlet channel in PEM fuel cell with an interdigitated flow field are separately measured using the technique of partially-catalyzed membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). The experimental results show that the current density under the outlet channel is significantly lower than that under the inlet channel, and the current density under the land is higher than both channels at typical fuel cell operation voltages. Further experimental results show that the pattern of local current density remains the same with different cathode flow rates.