Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Technologies and Systems

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are electrochemical devices that convert hydrogen and oxygen directly into electricity, heat and water at relatively low operating temperatures. Central to their operation is the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), which comprises a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer membrane, thin catalyst layers on either side and gas diffusion layers to distribute reactants and remove products. At the anode, hydrogen is oxidised to protons and electrons; protons migrate across the hydrated membrane while electrons travel through an external circuit. At the cathode, the oxygen reduction reaction combines protons, electrons and oxygen to form water. System components such as bipolar plates, humidification controls and balance-of-plant hardware complete the fuel cell stack and enable practical deployment. Key performance determinants include catalyst utilisation, water and thermal management, mass transport in porous layers and membrane conductivity. Advances in materials and system integration have driven improvements in power density, efficiency and durability, supporting applications from automotive propulsion and stationary power generation to portable and aviation systems. Ongoing challenges focus on reducing platinum group metal usage, enhancing membrane lifetime, optimising reactant distribution and scaling cost-effective manufacturing.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Researchers have demonstrated that controlled cracking of catalyst-coated membranes significantly enhances PEMFC performance. Pre-stretched catalyst-coated Nafion membranes develop predefined crack networks that reduce ohmic resistance and improve gas and water transport, yielding notable power density gains. Building on this, prism-patterned membranes have been engineered to guide cracks preferentially, creating efficient liquid water pathways and reservoirs that stabilise performance under varying humidity. Another approach employs multilayer, multiscale membrane architectures produced via spatially controlled polymerisation. These hierarchically structured membranes combine reduced resistance with increased electrochemical active surface area, delivering enhanced device robustness and higher output without compromising mechanical integrity.

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Technologies and Systems publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in proton exchange membrane fuel cell technologies and systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA): The core unit of a PEMFC comprising the proton exchange membrane, catalyst layers and gas diffusion layers.

Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM): A selectively permeable polymer electrolyte that conducts protons while blocking electrons and gases.

Catalyst Layer (CL): Thin films of catalyst particles (typically platinum) dispersed on carbon supports to facilitate electrode reactions.

Gas Diffusion Layer (GDL): Porous media that distribute reactant gases to the catalyst layer and assist water removal.

Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR): The cathodic reaction in which oxygen molecules combine with protons and electrons to form water.

Water Management: Control of hydration in the membrane and removal of liquid water to maintain ionic conductivity and avoid flooding.

References

1. High-performance Fuel Cell with Stretched Catalyst-Coated Membrane: One-step Formation of Cracked Electrode. Scientific Reports (2016).
2. Guided cracking of electrodes by stretching prism-patterned membrane electrode assemblies for high-performance fuel cells. Scientific Reports (2018).
3. Direct deposition of proton exchange membranes enabling high performance hydrogen fuel cells. Journal of Materials Chemistry A (2015).
4. Structure, Property, and Performance of Catalyst Layers in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells. Electrochemical Energy Reviews (2023).
5. Decoupling Membrane Electrode Assembly Materials Complexity from Fuel Cell Performance through Image‐Based Multiphase and Multiphysics Modelling. Advanced Energy Materials (2025).
6. Recent Progress on the Key Materials and Components for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells in Vehicle Applications. Energies (2016).