Catalysis in fuel cells (PEMC, SOFC)

Abstract

Energy is the basis of economic development, there is no modern civilization without the development of the energy industry. Humans have been conducting efforts to improve the high efficiency use of energy resources. There has been a number of revolutionary changes in the way to use energy during the history, from the original steam engine to internal combustion engines. Fuel cells are energy devices which transfer chemical energy stored in the fuel and oxidant directly into electrical energy. When fuel cells are continuously supplied fuel and oxidant, electricity can be made constantly. According to the different electrolytes, fuel cells can be divided into several types, such as alkaline fuel cell (AFC), phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC), molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC), solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), and proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), etc.