Abstract
In the last century, there has been rapid urbanization leading to increased energy demand with an ever increasing load on nonrenewable resources and subsequent escalation of pollution. A viable solution to these two problems can be a power supply technology that is able to produce energy with minimum or zero pollutant emission into the environment. Fuel cells appear to be an eco-friendly power supply technology. Main advantage of fuel cell technology is represented by direct conversion of fuels into electrical energy, with zero emissions, when hydrogen is used as fuel. This article describes the basic overview of fuel cell technology in order to better understand the construction and also the working principle of this eco-friendly technology.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Barbir F (2005) PEM fuel cells: theory and practice. Elsevier Academic Press
Energy USDo (2013) Fuel cell technologies overview (cited 10 Mar 2016)
History NMoA (cited 2016 15.04.2016); Available from: http://americanhistory.si.edu/fuelcells/origins/origins.htm
Oniciu L (1976) Fuel cells. Abacus Press
Scott K et al (2012) Biological and microbial fuel cells. In: Sayigh A (ed) Comprehensive renewable energy. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 257–280
EG&G Technical Services I (2004) Fuel cell handbook, 7th edn. U.S. Department of Energy, Morgantown, West Virginia 26507 - 0880
Mekhilef S, Saidur R, Safari A (2012) Comparative study of different fuel cell technologies. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 16(1):981–989
Kirubakaran A, Jain S, Nema RK (2009) A review on fuel cell technologies and power electronic interface. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 13(9):2430–2440
Merle G, Wessling M, Nijmeijer K (2011) Anion exchange membranes for alkaline fuel cells: a review. J Membr Sci 377(1–2):1–35
Liu Y et al (2016) A review of high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel-cell (HT-PEMFC)-based auxiliary power units for diesel-powered road vehicles. J Power Sources 311:91–102
Lepiller C (2016) Fuel cell basics. Available from: http://www.pragma-industries.com/wp-content/themes/default/images/fuel_cell_basics.pdf
Cao D, Sun Y, Wang G (2007) Direct carbon fuel cell: fundamentals and recent developments. J Power Sources 167(2):250–257
Duteanu N et al (2007) A parametric study of a platinum ruthenium anode in a direct borohydride fuel cell. J Appl Electrochem 37(9):1085–1091
Scott K et al (2008) Performance of a direct methanol alkaline membrane fuel cell. J Power Sources 175(1):452–457
Sharaf OZ, Orhan MF (2014) An overview of fuel cell technology: Fundamentals and applications. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 32:810–853
Srinivasan S et al (1991) Proceedings of the third space electrochemical research and technology conference. High energy efficiency and high power density proton exchange membrane fuel cells–electrode kinetics and mass transport. J Power Sources 36(3):299–320
Straßer K (1990) PEM-fuel cells: state of the art and development possibilities. Ber Bunsenges Phys Chem 94(9):1000–1005
Gurau V et al (2007) Characterization of transport properties in gas diffusion layers for proton exchange membrane fuel cells: 2. Absolute permeability. J Power Sources 165(2):793–802
Prater KB (1992) Proceedings of the second Grove fuel cell symposium. Progress in fuel cell commercialisation. Solid polymer fuel cell developments at Ballard. J Power Sources 37(1):181–188
Wilson MS, Gottesfeld S (1992) Thin-film catalyst layers for polymer electrolyte fuel cell electrodes. J Appl Electrochem 22(1):1–7
Wasmus S, Küver A (1999) Methanol oxidation and direct methanol fuel cells: a selective review. J Electroanal Chem 461(1–2):14–31
Biyikoglu A (2005) Review of proton exchange membrane fuel cell models. Int J Hydrogen Energy 30(11):1181–1212
Strasser K (1992) Proceedings of the second Grove fuel cell symposium. Progress in fuel cell commercialisation. Mobile fuel cell development at Siemens. J Power Sources 37(1):209–219
Wang ZH, Wang CY, Chen KS (2001) Two-phase flow and transport in the air cathode of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. J Power Sources 94(1):40–50
Gurau V et al (2006) Characterization of transport properties in gas diffusion layers for proton exchange membrane fuel cells: 1. Wettability (internal contact angle to water and surface energy of GDL fibers). J Power Sources 160(2):1156–1162
Zhou W et al (2003) Pt based anode catalysts for direct ethanol fuel cells. Appl Catal B 46(2):273–285
Shukla S et al (2015) Analysis of low platinum loading thin polymer electrolyte fuel cell electrodes prepared by inkjet printing. Electrochim Acta 156:289–300
Oh H-S et al (2009) Corrosion resistance and sintering effect of carbon supports in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Electrochim Acta 54(26):6515–6521
Alcaide F et al (2009) Pt supported on carbon nanofibers as electrocatalyst for low temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Electrochem Commun 11(5):1081–1084
Guha A et al (2007) Surface-modified carbons as platinum catalyst support for PEM fuel cells. Carbon 45(7):1506–1517
Subramanian NP et al (2009) Nitrogen-modified carbon-based catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. J Power Sources 188(1):38–44
Calvillo L et al (2009) Effect of the support properties on the preparation and performance of platinum catalysts supported on carbon nanofibers. J Power Sources 192(1):144–150
Calvillo L et al (2007) Platinum supported on functionalized ordered mesoporous carbon as electrocatalyst for direct methanol fuel cells. J Power Sources 169(1):59–64
Sebastian D et al (2009) Carbon nanofibers as electrocatalyst support for fuel cells: effect of hydrogen on their properties in CH4 decomposition. J Power Sources 192(1):51–56
Andersen SM et al (2013) Durability of carbon nanofiber (CNF) & carbon nanotube (CNT) as catalyst support for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, pp 94–101
Sebastian D et al (2010) Influence of carbon nanofiber properties as electrocatalyst support on the electrochemical performance for PEM fuel cells. Int J Hydrogen Energy 35(18):9934–9942
Li YH et al (2016) Preparation of platinum catalysts supported on functionalized graphene and the electrocatalytic properties for ethanol oxidation in direct ethanol fuel cell. J Mater Sci Mater Electron 27(6):6208–6215
Peighambardoust SJ, Rowshanzamir S, Amjadi M (2010) Review of the proton exchange membranes for fuel cell applications. Int J Hydrogen Energy 35(17):9349–9384
An L, Chen R (2016) Direct formate fuel cells: a review. J Power Sources 320:127–139
Antolini E, Gonzalez ER (2010) Alkaline direct alcohol fuel cells. J Power Sources 195(11):3431–3450
Rimbu GA, Jackson CL, Scott K (2006) Platinum/carbon/polyaniline based nanocomposites as catalysts for fuel cell technology. J Optoelectron Adv Mater 8(2):611–616
Zhao TS, Li YS, Shen SY (2010) Anion-exchange membrane direct ethanol fuel cells: Status and perspective. Front Energy Power Eng Chin 4(4):443–458
Zheng Y et al (2016) Platinum nanoparticles on carbon-nanotube support prepared by room-temperature reduction with H2 in ethylene glycol/water mixed solvent as catalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, 448–453
Antolini E (2015) Composite materials for polymer electrolyte membrane microbial fuel cells. Biosens Bioelectron 69:54–70
Bayatsarmadi B, Peters A, Talemi P (2016) Catalytic polymeric electrodes for direct borohydride fuel cells. J Power Sources 322:26–30
Cheddie D, Munroe N (2005) Review and comparison of approaches to proton exchange membrane fuel cell modeling. J Power Sources 147(1–2):72–84
Giddey S et al (2012) A comprehensive review of direct carbon fuel cell technology. Prog Energy Combust Sci 38(3):360–399
Indig ME, Snyder RN (1962) Sodium borohydride, an interesting anodic fuel (1). J Electrochem Soc 109(11):1104–1106
Iwan A, Malinowski M, Pasciak G (2015) Polymer fuel cell components modified by graphene: Electrodes, electrolytes and bipolar plates. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 49:954–967
Carrette L, Friedrich KA, Stimming U (2001) Fuel cells—fundamentals and applications. Fuel Cells 1(1):5–39
Divisek J et al (1998) Components for PEM fuel cell systems using hydrogen and CO containing fuels. Electrochim Acta 43(24):3811–3815
Litster S, McLean G (2004) PEM fuel cell electrodes. J Power Sources 130(1–2):61–76
Cindrella L et al (2009) Gas diffusion layer for proton exchange membrane fuel cells—a review. J Power Sources 194(1):146–160
Oedegaard A et al (2004) Influence of diffusion layer properties on low temperature DMFC. J Power Sources 127(1–2):187–196
Neergat M, Shukla AK (2002) Effect of diffusion-layer morphology on the performance of solid-polymer-electrolyte direct methanol fuel cells. J Power Sources 104(2):289–294
Feser JP, Prasad AK, Advani SG (2006) Experimental characterization of in-plane permeability of gas diffusion layers. J Power Sources 162(2):1226–1231
Song M, Kim HY, Kim K (2014) Effects of hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties of gas flow channels on liquid water transport in a serpentine polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. 19714–19721
Zhang J et al (2006) High temperature PEM fuel cells. J Power Sources 160(2):872–891
Pan YH (2006) Advanced air-breathing direct methanol fuel cells for portable applications. J Power Sources 161(1):282–289
Escribano S, Aldebert P (1995) Electrodes for hydrogen/oxygen polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Solid State Ionics 77:318–323
Fischer A, Jindra J, Wendt H (1998) Porosity and catalyst utilization of thin layer cathodes in air operated PEM-fuel cells. J Appl Electrochem 28(3):277–282
Chandan A et al (2013) High temperature (HT) polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC)—a review. J Power Sources 231:264–278
Escribano S, Aldebert P (1995) Solid state protonic conductors vii electrodes for hydrogen/oxygen polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Solid State Ionics 77:318–323
Shao Y et al (2007) Proton exchange membrane fuel cell from low temperature to high temperature: material challenges. J Power Sources 167(2):235–242
Liang Y et al (2006) Preparation and characterization of carbon-supported PtRuIr catalyst with excellent CO-tolerant performance for proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. J Catal 238(2):468–476
George MG et al (2016) Composition analysis of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell microporous layer using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy and near edge X-ray absorption fine structure analysis. J Power Sources 309:254–259
Lobato J et al (2008) Influence of the teflon loading in the gas diffusion layer of PBI-based PEM fuel cells. J Appl Electrochem 38(6):793–802
Guo Z, Faghri A (2006) Development of planar air breathing direct methanol fuel cell stacks. J Power Sources 160(2):1183–1194
Bose S et al (2011) Polymer membranes for high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell: Recent advances and challenges. Prog Polym Sci 36(6):813–843
Fathirad F, Afzali D, Mostafavi A (2016) Pd-Zn nanoalloys supported on Vulcan XC-72R carbon as anode catalysts for oxidation process in formic acid fuel cell
Chu YH, Shul YG (2010) Combinatorial investigation of Pt-Ru-Sn alloys as an anode electrocatalysts for direct alcohol fuel cells. Int J Hydrogen Energy 35(20):11261–11270
Kim HS et al (2016) Platinum catalysts protected by N-doped carbon for highly efficient and durable polymer-electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Electrochim Acta (in press)
Jongsomjit S, Prapainainar P, Sombatmankhong K (2016) Synthesis and characterisation of Pd-Ni-Sn electrocatalyst for use in direct ethanol fuel cells. Solid State Ionics 288:147–153
Arashi T et al (2014) Nb-doped TiO2 cathode catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction of polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Catal Today Catal Mater Catal Low Carbon Technol 233:181–186
Han S, Chae GS, Lee JS (2016) Enhanced activity of carbon-supported PdCo electrocatalysts toward electrooxidation of ethanol in alkaline electrolytes. Korean J Chem Eng 33(6):1799–1804
Kumar A, Ramani VK (2013) RuO2-SiO2 mixed oxides as corrosion-resistant catalyst supports for polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Appl Catal B 138–139:43–50
Patru A et al (2016) Pt/IrO2–TiO2 cathode catalyst for low temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell—application in MEAs, performance and stability issues. Catal Today 262:161–169
Uehara N et al (2015) Tantalum oxide-based electrocatalysts made from oxy-tantalum phthalocyanines as non-platinum cathodes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Ubiquitus Electrochem 146–153
Yi L et al (2015) Enhanced activity of Au-Fe/C anodic electrocatalyst for direct borohydride-hydrogen peroxide fuel cell. J Power Sources 285:325–333
Kil KC et al (2014) The use of MWCNT to enhance oxygen reduction reaction and adhesion strength between catalyst layer and gas diffusion layer in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. Int J Hydrogen Energy 39:17481–17486
Chen Z et al (2011) A review on non-precious metal electrocatalysts for PEM fuel cells. Energy Environ Sci 4(9):3167–3192
Reshetenko TV, Kim H-T, Kweon H-J (2007) Cathode structure optimization for air-breathing DMFC by application of pore-forming agents. J Power Sources 171(2):433–440
Wang B (2005) Recent development of non-platinum catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction. J Power Sources 152:1–15
Kinumoto T et al (2006) Durability of perfluorinated ionomer membrane against hydrogen peroxide. J Power Sources 158(2):1222–1228
Smitha B, Sridhar S, Khan AA (2005) Solid polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cell applications—a review. J Membr Sci 259(1–2):10–26
Prater KB (1994) Polymer electrolyte fuel cells: a review of recent developments. J Power Sources 51(1):129–144
Sousa R Jr, Gonzalez ER (2005) Mathematical modeling of polymer electrolyte fuel cells. J Power Sources 147(1–2):32–45
Owejan JP et al (2007) Effects of flow field and diffusion layer properties on water accumulation in a PEM fuel cell. Int J Hydrogen Energy 32(17):4489–4502
Neburchilov V et al (2007) A review of polymer electrolyte membranes for direct methanol fuel cells. J Power Sources 169(2):221–238
DuPont (2016) Nafion—product bulletin P-12 (cited 10 May 2016). Available from: https://www.chemours.com/Nafion/en_US/assets/downloads/nafion-extrusion-cast-membranes-product-information.pdf
Yu EH, Scott K (2004) Development of direct methanol alkaline fuel cells using anion exchange membranes. J Power Sources 137(2):248–256
Yu EH, Scott K (2005) Direct methanol alkaline fuel cells with catalysed anion exchange membrane electrodes. J Appl Electrochem 35(1):91–96
Lim BH et al (2016) Effects of flow field design on water management and reactant distribution in PEMFC: a review. Ionics 22(3):301–316
Nguyen TV (1996) A gas distributor design for proton—exchange—membrane fuel cells. J Electrochem Soc 143(5):L103–L105
Rostami L, Mohamad Gholy Nejad P, Vatani A (2016) A numerical investigation of serpentine flow channel with different bend sizes in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Energy 97:400–410
Baek SM et al (2012) Pressure drop and flow distribution characteristics of single and parallel serpentine flow fields for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. J Mech Sci Technol 26(9):2995–3006
Hsieh S-S, Her B-S, Huang Y-J (2011) Effect of pressure drop in different flow fields on water accumulation and current distribution for a micro PEM fuel cell. Energy Convers Manag 52(2):975–982
Yang H, Zhao TS, Ye Q (2005) Pressure drop behavior in the anode flow field of liquid feed direct methanol fuel cells. J Power Sources 142(1–2):117–124
Cho K-S (2015) The flow-field pattern optimization of the bipolar plate for PEMFC considering the nonlinear material. Int J Electrochem Sci 10:2564–2579
Beale SB (2015) Mass transfer formulation for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell cathode. Int J Hydrogen Energy 40:11641–11650
Diedrichs A et al (2013) Effect of compression on the performance of a HT-PEM fuel cell. J Appl Electrochem 43(11):1079–1099
Choi K-S, Kim H-M, Moon S-M (2011) Numerical studies on the geometrical characterization of serpentine flow-field for efficient PEMFC. Int J Hydrogen Energy 36(2):1613–1627
Arvay A et al (2013) Nature inspired flow field designs for proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Int J Hydrogen Energy 38(9):3717–3726
Li X, Sabir I (2005) Review of bipolar plates in PEM fuel cells: Flow-field designs. Int J Hydrogen Energy 30(4):359–371
Wang J, Wang H (2012) Flow-field designs of bipolar plates in pem fuel cells: theory and applications. Fuel Cells 12(6):989–1003
Aricò AS, Baglio V, Antonucci V (2009) Direct methanol fuel cells: history, status and perspectives. In: Electrocatalysis of direct methanol fuel cells. Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, pp 1–78
Aricò AS, Srinivasan S, Antonucci V (2001) DMFCs: from fundamental aspects to technology development. Fuel Cells 1(2):133–161
Yu X, Pickup PG (2008) Recent advances in direct formic acid fuel cells (DFAFC). J Power Sources 182(1):124–132
Demirci UB (2007) Direct liquid-feed fuel cells: thermodynamic and environmental concerns. J Power Sources 169(2):239–246
Kamarudin MZF et al (2013) Review: direct ethanol fuel cells. Int J Hydrogen Energy 38(22):9438–9453
Lamy C, Coutanceau C, Leger JM (2009) The direct ethanol fuel cell: a challenge to convert bioethanol cleanly into electric energy. In: Catalysis for sustainable energy production. Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, pp 1–46
An L et al (2010) Performance of a direct ethylene glycol fuel cell with an anion-exchange membrane. Int J Hydrogen Energy 35(9):4329–4335
Modestov AD et al (2009) MEA for alkaline direct ethanol fuel cell with alkali doped PBI membrane and non-platinum electrodes. J Power Sources 188(2):502–506
Fujiwara N et al (2008) Direct ethanol fuel cells using an anion exchange membrane. J Power Sources 185(2):621–626
An L et al (2011) Alkaline direct oxidation fuel cell with non-platinum catalysts capable of converting glucose to electricity at high power output. J Power Sources 196(1):186–190
An L, Zhao TS, Xu JB (2011) A bi-functional cathode structure for alkaline-acid direct ethanol fuel cells. Int J Hydrogen Energy 36(20):13089–13095
Ha S, Dunbar Z, Masel RI (2006) Characterization of a high performing passive direct formic acid fuel cell. J Power Sources 158(1):129–136
Jeong K-J et al (2007) Fuel crossover in direct formic acid fuel cells. J Power Sources 168(1):119–125
Miesse CM et al (2006) Direct formic acid fuel cell portable power system for the operation of a laptop computer. J Power Sources 162(1):532–540
Rice C et al (2002) Direct formic acid fuel cells. J Power Sources 111(1):83–89
Boyaci San FG et al (2014) Evaluation of operating conditions on DBFC (direct borohydride fuel cell) performance with PtRu anode catalyst by response surface method. Energy 71:160–169
Lucia U (2014) Overview on fuel cells. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 30:164–169
Mahapatra MK, Singh P (2014) Fuel cells: energy conversion technology A2. In: Letcher TM (ed) Future energy, 2nd edn (Chap. 24). Elsevier, Boston, pp 511–547
Davidescu CM (2002) Introducere in termodinamica chimica. Editura Politehnica, Timisoara
Atkins P, de Paula J (2005) Atkins’ physical chemistry. Oxford University Press
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Duteanu, N., Balasoiu, A., Chatterjee, P., Ghangrekar, M.M. (2017). A Basic Overview of Fuel Cells: Thermodynamics and Cell Efficiency. In: Inamuddin, D., Mohammad, A., Asiri, A. (eds) Organic-Inorganic Composite Polymer Electrolyte Membranes. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52739-0_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52739-0_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-52738-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-52739-0
eBook Packages: Chemistry and Materials ScienceChemistry and Material Science (R0)