On solid polymer fuel cells

The solid polymer fuel cell is one of the most convenient sources of clean energy. All-solid components, relatively mild operational conditions and high power density make the fuel cell attractive for many applications as a portable power source. The widespread uses of solid polymer and other types of fuel cells are expected to lead to the beginning of the “hydrogen economy” in contrast with the present-day largely fossil-fuel-based economy. This paper reviews the state of the development of solid polymer single fuel cells and multicell stacks. The development work has led to the decrease of platinum loadings of fuel cell electrodes from 5 to 0.5 mg cm−2, and, in recent work on ultralow platinum loading electrodes, to 0.05 mg cm−2. The effects of kinetic parameters, temperature and pressure on fuel cell performance, and also possible future research areas that need emphasis, have been discussed.

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