Proton exchange membrane fuel cell is a well-known technology that has shown high efficiency and performance as a power system compared to conventional sources such as internal combustion engines. Especially, open cathode proton exchange membrane is growing more popular thanks to its simple structure, low cost and low parasitic losses. However, the open cathode fuel cell performance is highly related to the operating temperature variation and the airflow rate which is adjusted through the fan voltage. In this regard, the present study investigates the thermal management of an open cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The objectives are the stack performance improvement and the stack degradation prevention. Indeed, a safety and optimal operating zone governed by the load current, the stack temperature and the air stoichiometry, is designed. This optimal operating zone is defined based on the system thermal balance and the operating constraints. Hence, the proposed control strategy deals concurrently with the stack temperature regulation and the air stoichiometry adjustment to guarantee the goals achievement. The performance of the proposed control strategy is verified through experimental studies with different operating conditions and results prove its efficiency. To properly design an appropriate control strategy, a multiphysic fuel cell model is developed based on acausal approach by mean of Matlab/Simscape and experimentally validated. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.