Fuel cells will play a critical role in a renewable energy powered society, whether in mobility or stationary applications. Certain challenges remain to be addressed if performance and cost dynamics of these systems is to achieve large scale, high unit number roll out. This review deals with polymer electrolyte membrane-based fuel cells with a specific focus on membrane materials and their innovative fabrication based on chemical vapor deposition (CVD) approaches. These deposition techniques are introduced, as are the potential improvements relating to cell performance, namely proton conductivity and stability. The potential benefits of applying CVD-based synthesis in the fabrication of polymer electrolytes is also discussed with respect to future fuel cell development.

The Cover Feature shows a generalised illustration of the dynamics of chemical vapour deposition for the preparation of proton exchange membranes. More information can be found in the Review by N. Bellomo et al.

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