Fuel cells are devices converting the chemical energy stored in a fuel directly into electricity for power generation with high efficiency. Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) using pure hydrogen and air produce electricity with only water as a waste product according to the following reactions, thus eliminating any harmful pollution or emission at the point of use.
| At the anode: 2H2 -> 4H+ + 4e- |
| At the cathode: O2 + 4H+ + 4e- -> 2H2O |
| Global reaction: 2H2 + O2 -> 2H2O + energy |
The core of the PEMFC is the Membrane-Electrode Assembly (MEA).
It is composed of an ionomer (proton conducting polymer) membrane sandwiched between two electrodes (electrocatalyst nanoparticles on an electronic conducting support). A schematic representation of a MEA and of the operating principle of a PEMFC is depicted below (
drawing: Dr. Surya Subianto).
