Behavior of water below the freezing point in PEFCs

This study investigates the phenomenon of water freezing below the freezing point in polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFCs). Water generated on the surface of the catalyst layer was observed simultaneously with visible and infrared images. Surprisingly, it was found that water generated below the freezing point is in the liquid state and that the temperature rises to 0 °C at the time of freezing. It is generally known that heat of solidification is radiated when water in a super-cooled state starts to freeze. This study shows that water generated below the freezing point in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) is in a super-cooled state.