Understanding how high-performance anion exchange membrane fuel cells were achieved: Component, interfacial, and cell-level factors

Abstract

In recent years, it has become clear that there are 4 pillars to achieve high performing practical Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs): (1) alkaline stable, high conductivity, high water transport membranes; (2) controlling the content and balance of water in operating cells; (3) electrode development and optimization; and (4) minimizing the effects of CO2. The primary focus of this perspective article is (2) and (3), where the component-level advances as well as the cell-level and interfacial factors that contribute to overall cell performance will be discussed – with a perspective on understanding how state-of-the-art AEMFC performance of ∼2.5 W cm−2 (with H2/O2 reacting gases) has been achieved. The hope is that others in the field can use this paper to not only achieve the same performance, but to exceed it. Also, several recommendations to guide the future work of the field are made.