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Recent Development of Fuel Cell Core Components and Key Materials: A Review

Author

Listed:
  • Yuemeng Zhang

    (School of Vehicle Engineering, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China)

  • Jia Wang

    (China Automotive Technology and Research Center Co., Ltd. (CATARC), Tianjin 300300, China)

  • Zhanhui Yao

    (China Automotive Technology and Research Center Co., Ltd. (CATARC), Tianjin 300300, China)

Abstract

Fuel cells, as key carriers for hydrogen energy development and utilization, provide a vital opportunity to achieve zero-emission energy use and have thus attracted considerable attention from fundamental research to industrial application levels. Considering the current status of fuel cell technology and the industry, this paper presents a systematic elaboration of progress and development trends in fuel cell core components and key materials, such as stacks, bipolar plates, membrane electrodes, proton exchange membranes, catalysts, gas diffusion layers, air compressors, and hydrogen circulation systems. In addition, some proposals for the development of fuel cell vehicles in China are presented, based on the analysis of current supporting policies, standards, and regulations, along with manufacturing costs in China. The fuel cell industry of China is still in the budding stage of development and thus suffers some challenges, such as lagging fundamental systems, imperfect standards and regulations, high product costs, and uncertain technical safety and stability levels. Therefore, to accelerate the development of the hydrogen energy and fuel cell vehicle industry, it is an urgent need to establish a complete supporting policy system, accelerate technical breakthroughs, transformations, and applications of key materials and core components, and reduce the cost of hydrogen use.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuemeng Zhang & Jia Wang & Zhanhui Yao, 2023. "Recent Development of Fuel Cell Core Components and Key Materials: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-23, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:5:p:2099-:d:1075680
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    References listed on IDEAS

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