Proton exchange membrane fuel cells: processes–materials–design in current trends

Abstract

Over the last decade, the potential of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) for use in a range of applications, including automotive transport, has attracted the attention of scientific groups and industry representatives worldwide. The active development of PEMFCs is already enabling them to compete with internal combustion engines and lithium-ion batteries in a number of applications. However, significant improvements in a number of PEMFCs characteristics are required to expand the scope of their applications. This review is intended to bridge the gap between existing reviews, which are either overly general or overly specific, and provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art and potential future applications of PEMFCs. It will focus on the main components of PEMFCs, including proton exchange membranes, catalytic and gas diffusion layers, bipolar plates, and cooling systems, and the factors affecting the PEMFC performance.<br> The bibliography includes 428 references.