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  • Review Article
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Materials for fuel-cell technologies

Abstract

Fuel cells convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy with high efficiency and low emission of pollutants. However, before fuel-cell technology can gain a significant share of the electrical power market, important issues have to be addressed. These issues include optimal choice of fuel, and the development of alternative materials in the fuel-cell stack. Present fuel-cell prototypes often use materials selected more than 25 years ago. Commercialization aspects, including cost and durability, have revealed inadequacies in some of these materials. Here we summarize recent progress in the search and development of innovative alternative materials.

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Figure 1: Summary of fuel-cell types.
Figure 2: Fuel-cell types and fuel processing.
Figure 3: CO tolerance on Pt/Ru anode electrodes.
Figure 4: Specific conductivity versus reciprocal temperature for selected solid-oxide electrolytes.
Figure 5: Schematic view of the Sulzer Hexis micro-CHP stack for residential applications.
Figure 6: Schematic view of the Delphi–BMW–Global Thermoelectric auxiliary power unit (APU).

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Correspondence to Brian C. H. Steele or Angelika Heinzel.

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Steele, B., Heinzel, A. Materials for fuel-cell technologies. Nature 414, 345–352 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/35104620

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