Hydrogen polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells are renewable and future sustainable power generation systems that operate with zero emissions. Thermal management in fuel cells is still an important issue that must be addressed to extend their life and the possibility of their widespread commercial use. In this research, a simulation model has been developed and validated using MATLAB to investigate the cooling process and its effect on the PEM fuel cells using nanofluids as coolant. Al2O3 nanoparticles have been used due to their thermal characteristics, chemical stability, and cost-effectiveness compared to other nanoparticles. The Al2O3-H2O nanofluid was used with 0.1 to 0.4 vol % concentration. The results showed that employing nanofluids as coolant increases the temperature difference between the coolant outlet and inlet. Nanoparticles concentration increases, the temperature difference increases. Similarly, the nanoparticles concentration increases, both pressure drop across the cooling channel and pumping power increases. Therefore, employing nanofluids in PEM fuel cells seems an impractical choice for the lower temperature difference criterion at a certain pumping power.

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