Latest Progress for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Dear Colleagues,

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are electrochemical energy conversion devices to generate power from hydrogen and hydrogen-containing compounds as fuel, and air or oxygen as an oxidant. They possess many advantages compared to conventional power generation systems; specifically, they do not produce greenhouse gases or polluting gases, unlike internal combustion engines that still use fossil fuels, and they give improved efficiency. In particular, working at temperatures ranging from ambient to 70–80 ºC, they are becoming a mature technology for powering electrical vehicles with an autonomy range approaching 600 km without hydrogen refueling, or for stationary power plants with relatively good energy efficiencies of 40%–55% in electrical energy, to 80%–95% in total energy (electricity and heat production in combined heat and power systems), depending on the applications and working conditions. Recent thrusts in these fuel cells are toward cost reduction and the improvement of durability under various duty cycles. Several reviews have covered the various advances in the alternative catalysts and membrane developments for all of these cells. A reversible fuel cell that can also function as an electrolyzer, built using na acidic or alkaline electrolyte, known as “regenerative fuel cells (RFCs)”, are also known. The RFC has been a dream of many hydrogen technology enthusiasts, as it can be an ideal solution for maximizing the benefits of the variable renewable energy (VRE) sources, such as solar and wind. Recent advancements in various aspects of the required development and commercialization of the hydrogen/air PEMFCs for industrial applications, such as fundamental understanding, high-speed manufacturing of fuel cell components, electrocatalysts development, systems development, health monitoring, and contaminant’s effects, are necessary for low-cost, high-volume fuel cell production with increased activity and durability. Moreover, to address the needs in today’s fuel cell industry, this Special Issue on Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells also focuses on research related to the followng:

• Nonplatinum-based nanostructured electrocatalysts;
• Design and fabrication of nanoporous metallic electrocatalysts;
• Shape-controlled nanoparticles for HER and ORR electrocatalysis;
• Platinum monolayer electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction;
• Graphene-based oxygen reduction catalysts;
• Macroporous substrate materials;
• Advanced single and double-layer gas diffusion layers;
• Manufacturing methods for metallic bipolar plates;
• Carbon and noncarbon hybrid support materials;
• Degradation mechanisms, focused on the support degradation;
• Novel spectroscopy and microscopy characterizations;
• Air, heat, and water management.

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• Fuel cell materials and components
• HER and ORR electrode processes
• Synthesis of nanostructured electrocatalysts
• Ionic membranes
• Metallic bipolar plates
• Thermal and water management
• Cell/electrodes characterization
• Support degradation
• MEAs design and performance