Clean energy/Fuel cells

Abstract

Fuel cells are clean and efficient energy converters via electrochemical reactions. Their operation principles, component materials, and applications have been reviewed, together with the calculation method of the efficiency. Some research topics for electrocatalysts for polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) are also reported. It is expected that PEFCs, polymer electrolyte water electrolyzers (PEWEs), and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), which can be operated inversely as solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs), play important roles in a hydrogen society, closely coupled with renewable electric energies.