Advances in Materials for Fuel Cell Technologies- A Review

Abstract

The primary objective of this review paper is to highlight the advances in Fuel Cell with the newly developed fuel cell materials and membranes as well as their potential applications. The major disadvantage that limits the commercialisation of conventional Platinum (Pt)/Palladium (Pd) electrode based fuel cells is the expense and hence restricts the use of fuel cells, though being more an environment friendly energy production method. With recent development and the newly emerging materials, these conventional technologies can be replaced with advanced materials and membranes. The synthesis, process chemistry, physical, electrical and chemical properties, output characteristics, workability and performance of recently developed electrode materials: Nitrogen doped Graphene electrode, Carbon Nanotube based electrodes for applications in conventional proton exchange membrane and microbial fuel cells; newly emerging polymer electrolyte membranes; Synthesis of new materials i.e. quantum dots (graphene and polyvinyl alcohol) as catalysts or support for catalysts, electron mediators and advanced electrolyte solutions have been studied in the paper. Recent advancements in the synthesis of porous materials called Metal Organic Framework for fuel cell applications have also been reviewed.