To investigate the effects of operating temperature and asymmetric anode-cathode humidification on proton transport and performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs)

this paper develops a proton transmembrane transport (PTT) model

which is coupled with COMSOL for multiphysics simulations. Experiments and simulations are conducted on a self-built fuel cell platform at 50

60

and 70℃ under different anode humidity conditions to examine cell performance

transmembrane water flux

membrane water content

and proton conductivity. The results show good agreement between the PTT model and experimental data

with a maximum relative error below 9% and the highest accuracy at 60℃. Temperature and anode humidity jointly affect cell performance: 75% anode relative humidity is optimal at 50 and 60℃

whereas 100% is more favorable at 70℃. As anode humidity increases and cell voltage decreases

transmembrane water flux

membrane water content

and proton conductivity generally increase

but slightly decline at 70℃because of enhanced membrane water evaporation. These findings indicate that anode humidity should be optimized with operating temperature to balance membrane hydration

water transport

and cell performance

providing guidance for PEMFC water management and parameter optimization.