A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy converter – it converts chemical energy of fuel, typically hydrogen, directly into electrical energy. Its theoretical efficiency is determined by thermodynamics of its (electro) chemical reactions. Because its efficiency is not limited by Carnot efficiency, the theoretical efficiency of low temperature fuel cells is higher than the theoretical efficiencies of internal combustion engines. Fuel cell actual efficiency is, of course, always lower than the theoretical one, and it depends on the rate of the electrochemical reactions, their kinetics, as well as the properties of the materials and design of the components used to direct the reactants to and take the products away from the reaction sites.
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Barbir, F. (2008). Fuel Cell Basic Chemistry, Electrochemistry and Thermodynamics. In: Kakaç, S., Pramuanjaroenkij, A., Vasiliev, L. (eds) Mini-Micro Fuel Cells. NATO Science for Peace and Security Series C: Environmental Security. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8295-5_2
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