Definition of the Subject
Fuel cells are efficient energy converters, based on electrochemical principles. They convert the chemical energy (heating value) of a fuel directly into electricity, circumventing the various steps of thermal conversion and electricity generation. Fuel cells can be designed and constructed on the basis of a multitude of material combinations for electrolyte and electrodes, opening the choice of different fuels. The electrocatalytic reactions of fuel and oxygen are major challenges to obtain high conversion efficiency. The electrochemical basics of different fuel cell types considered today for technical applications are described in this contribution.
Introduction
Fuel cell technologies have seen a revival in recent years, due to several reasons. Global warming and local air pollution caused by various energy utilization processes have created a multitude of environmental...
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Abbreviations
- AFC:
-
Alkaline fuel cell.
- EC:
-
Electrocatalysis.
- FC:
-
Fuel cell.
- GDE:
-
Gas diffusion electrode.
- GDL:
-
Gas diffusion layer.
- HOR:
-
Hydrogen oxidation reaction.
- HT-PEFC:
-
High temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- MCFC:
-
Molten carbonate fuel cell.
- ORR:
-
Oxygen reduction reaction.
- PAFC:
-
Phosphoric acid fuel cell.
- PEFC:
-
Polymer electrolyte fuel cell.
- SOFC:
-
Solid oxide fuel cell.
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Scherer, G.G. (2012). Fuel Cell Types and Their Electrochemistry . In: Meyers, R.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sustainability Science and Technology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0851-3_132
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0851-3_132
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