Fuel Cell Technology (FCT): An Overview

Abstract

The global need for energy is growing every day. In this situation, looking for alternative energy sources should be a priority. Alternative energy comes in a variety of forms. One of the most promising technologies to partially address the energy deficits is fuel cell technology, or FCT. Fuel cells can be classified according to their design and the electrolyte that was used to build them. The FCT is regarded as one of the most promising technologies for alternative energy sources since it has so many advantages over other forms of energy sources. The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), which occurs on the fuel cell’s cathode, is the primary electrochemical process in fuel cell technology. Pt catalyst is used to increase ORR, which improves a fuel cell’s (FC’s) stability and performance. The use of platinum (Pt) metal is not without its problems, though; among them is the metal’s high cost and scarcity. Therefore, the challenge for researchers is to identify low-cost, easily accessible substitute electrocatalysts. These are some of the challenges or barriers that will need to be overcome in the future. Two major barriers to the commercialization of FCT are the stability of the catalytic materials and the availability of a substitute material for Pt. The FCT and technological research used to enhance it are summarized in this chapter.