PEM Fuel Cells & Platinum

What this topic covers

How platinum catalyst layers enable low-temperature proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells.

Core energy-system ideas

PEM fuel cells use a membrane electrode assembly with catalyst layers on both sides of a proton-conducting membrane.

Platinum-based catalysts support hydrogen oxidation at the anode and oxygen reduction at the cathode.

The cathode oxygen-reduction reaction is especially demanding and has driven extensive platinum-catalyst research.

Important tradeoffs

Catalyst loading should be evaluated together with mass activity, transport, manufacturing and durability.

Material and performance evidence

Water, heat, gas purity and transient operation can change how effectively platinum catalyst layers perform.

Lifecycle perspective

The stack contains much more than platinum, so catalyst improvement does not eliminate balance-of-plant constraints.