Fuel

Cells: A Basic Review

By Mohamad A. Kanbari

What is a Fuel Cell?

Youve probably first heard about fuel cells from a futuristic sci-fi or space movie. Scientists
have done a lot of research into fuel cells and their applications over the past decades as it is
considered to be the energy of the future. So what is a fuel cell? A fuel cell is an electrochemical
energy conversion device. It generates electricity by a chemical reaction between two chemical
species, a fuel and an oxidizer. Hydrogen is a common fuel and oxygen is usually used as an
oxidizer. A hydrogen fuel cell is appealing because its only byproduct is water.

What is the Difference between a Battery and a Fuel cell?

A battery is another electrochemical device that most people are familiar with. All the chemicals
are stored inside a battery and the chemical reaction within produces electricity. However, once
the chemicals completely react, the battery is dead and is either thrown away or recharged. In
fuel cells, there is a constant flow of chemicals. So electricity will be generated as long as there
is a flow of chemicals.

Components of a Fuel Cell

Figure 1 Diagram of PEMFC from < http://www.fuelcelltoday.com/media/994708/technology_pem_crop_499x275.jpg>

Figure 1 displays a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is a fuel cell that is
developed for transportation purposes. It will be used to explain the components and the overall
process. The main components of a fuel cell are the electrodes (anode and cathode), electrolyte,
catalyst, reactants (hydrogen and oxygen) and products (water).
The Anode
The anode is the negative electrode of the fuel cell. It conducts the electrons that are released by
the hydrogen molecules to be used in an external circuit as demonstrated by Figure 1. It has
porous channels etched into it that disperse the hydrogen gas equally over the surface of the
catalyst.
The Cathode
The cathode is the positive electrode of the fuel cell. Similarly, it has channels etched into it that
distribute the oxygen over the surface of the catalyst. The cathode conducts the electrons back
from the external circuit to react with the hydrogen ions and oxygen to form water as
demonstrated by Figure 1.

The Electrolyte
The electrolyte is the proton exchange membrane. It is a specially treated material that allows the
flow of positively charged ions only. The hydrogen ions move from the anode to the cathode
through the electrolyte as demonstrated by Figure 1.
The Catalyst
The catalyst is a special material that allows oxygen and hydrogen to react. It is usually made of
platinum or gold nanoparticles coated onto graphite to form the electrodes. The porosity of the
catalyst allows the maximum surface area exposure to the reactants.

How a Fuel Cell works?

Pressurized hydrogen gas (H2) enters the fuel cell on the anode side. The gas then comes into
contact with the catalyst. As a hydrogen molecule comes into contact with the platinum surface,
it dissociates into two positive hydrogen ions (H+) and two negative electrons (e-). The anode
conducts the electrons to the external circuit and the returns to the cathode after doing work.
Similarly, oxygen gas (O2) enters the fuel cell on the cathode side. It then flows through the
catalyst and dissociates into two negatively charged oxygen atoms. The negatively charged
oxygen atom attracts two positively charged Hydrogen (H+) ions through the membrane. They
then react with two electrons from the external circuit to produce a water molecule (H2O).

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Fuel Cells

The Advantages
Since there are no greenhouse gas emissions, fuel cells are considered environmentally friendly.
It only produces electricity, water and heat and is hence considered a potential solution to climate
change. In addition, unlike other fossil fuel generation methods, there is no combustion in a fuel
cell which makes it more much more efficient than conventional fuels. Also, Fuel cells, unlike
batteries do not degrade with time. They provide continuous electricity as long as they are
properly handled and maintained.

The Disadvantages
Currently, it is very expensive to manufacture fuel cells, just like the first calculators and
computers were. The fuel cell is a relatively new technology and is in a period where it is not
cost effective to purchase. However, this is expected to change once mass manufacturing is
possible. In addition, if fuel cells are to be cost effective, an enhanced supply chain of hydrogen
will need to be established. Infrastructure will need to be developed to allow the safe and
efficient storage and delivery of hydrogen.