![]() In these fuel cells, a solid acid material is used as the electrolyte.Īt low temperatures, the molecular structures of these solid acids are ordered.Ī phase transition can occur at higher temperatures, which leads to a huge increase in conductivity.ĬsHSO 4 and CsH 2 PO 4 are examples of solid acids (cesium hydrogen sulfate and cesium dihydrogen phosphate respectively). The components of these cells tend to corrode or oxidize over time due to the acidic nature of the electrolyte. These cells have working temperatures in the range of 150℃ to 200℃.īecause of the non-conductive nature of phosphoric acid, electrons are forced to travel via an external circuit to the cathode. These fuel cells involve the use of phosphoric acid to channel H + + as an electrolyte. PEMFCs can also be used for the stationary and portable generation of power, despite having eco-friendly applications in transport. The temperature range in which these cells work is from 50℃ to 100℃.Ī polymer which can conduct protons is the electrolyte used in PEMFCs.īipolar plates, a catalyst, electrodes, and the polymer membrane form a typical PEM fuel cell. The Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Fuel CellĪlso known as proton exchange membrane fuel cells, these cells are (or PEMFCs). This sub-section discusses some of these types of fuel cells. ![]() There are many varieties of fuel cells, although they work similarly. The catalyst is finely divided before being incorporated into the electrodes to increase the effective surface area. With the aid of a catalyst such as platinum or palladium, this problem is overcome. The reaction rate of this electrochemical response, however, is quite low. The response of the cells can be written as follows:Ĭathode Reaction - O 2 + 2H 2 O + 4e – → 4OH –Īnode Reaction - 2H 2 + 4OH – → 4H 2 O + 4e – The work of this fuel cell involved the transfer of hydrogen and oxygen via carbon electrodes into a concentrated solution of sodium hydroxide. In the Apollo space program, such a cell was used and served two distinct purposes: it was used as a source of fuel and a source of drinking water. It is possible to use the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity via a fuel cell. ![]() The electrolyte makes the motion of the protons possible in these cells. Thus, before the supply of fuel and oxygen is cut off these cells will continuously produce electricity.Ī fuel cell, which consists of a cathode, an anode, and an electrolyte, is similar to electrochemical cells. To maintain the reactions that produce electricity, these cells require a continuous input of fuel and an oxidizing agent (generally oxygen). A fuel cell can be described as an electrochemical cell which, through an electrochemical reaction, generates electrical energy from the fuel.
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