Recent Progress on the Key Materials and Components for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells in Vehicle Applications

Abstract

Fuel cells are the most clean and efficient power source for vehicles. In particular, proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are the most promising candidate for automobile applications due to their rapid start-up and low-temperature operation. Through extensive global research efforts in the latest decade, the performance of PEMFCs, including energy efficiency, volumetric and mass power density, and low temperature startup ability, have achieved significant breakthroughs. In 2014, fuel cell powered vehicles were introduced into the market by several prominent vehicle companies. However, the low durability and high cost of PEMFC systems are still the main obstacles for large-scale industrialization of this technology. The key materials and components used in PEMFCs greatly affect their durability and cost. In this review, the technical progress of key materials and components for PEMFCs has been summarized and critically discussed, including topics such as the membrane, catalyst layer, gas diffusion layer, and bipolar plate. The development of high-durability processing technologies is also introduced. Finally, this review is concluded with personal perspectives on the future research directions of this area.

Clean energy and the hydrogen economy

“…An extensive analysis of the key technical challenges, recent improvements and targets for hydrogen PEM fuel cell in vehicle applications can be found in (36,41).…”

Comparison of Liquid Water Dynamics in Bent Gas Channels of a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell with Different Channel Cross Sections in a Channel Flooding Situation

“…The polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell has received considerable attention due to its many advantages, including zero/low emissions, high power density, low operating temperature, and a broad range of applications [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. The PEM fuel cell generates electricity and by-product water through the electrochemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen.…”

“…In automotive vehicle applications of PEM fuel cells where the demand for high current density is frequent, water flooding is a critical issue. Therefore, the water removal in the GC is one of the most important issues in PEM fuel cell studies, especially in a GC flooding condition [1][2][3].…”

Effects of microstructure on electrochemical reactivity and conductivity in nanostructured ceria thin films

“…The electrochemical reaction and transport phenomenon of solid ionic conducting materials is crucial in many energy applications, ranging from energy storage and conversion materials, to catalysts and membranes . Particularly, nanostructured ceria (NC), a mixed ionic‐electronic conductor, has been extensively studied as electrolyte in solid oxide fuel cells, catalytic devices, gas sensors, etc .…”