Hydrogen Fuel Cell

A hydrogen fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that uses a spontaneous redox

reaction to produce current that can do work. The net reaction is exothermic.
Combining the 2 half-cell potentials for the electrochemical reaction gives a
positive cell potential.
H2 + 1/2 O2 H2O Gf = -229 kJ/mol

H2 2 H+ + 2 e- E0= 0.00 V

O2 + 4 e- + 4 H+ 2 H2O E0= 1.23 V

The hydrogen flows to a platinum catalyst connected to the anode. Molecular

hydrogen is dissociated to atomic hydrogen on the metal surface and the atomic
hydrogen is oxidized. The protons travel through a solid electrolyte, the polymer
electrolyte membrane or PEM, and the electrons travel through the external circuit.
Molecular oxygen is reduced at the cathode and combined with protons to form
water.

The theoretical voltage for a hydrogen fuel cell

should be 1.23 V, however typical potentials
are 0.6 to 0.7 and actually drop as the current
flows. Why?

1. An over potential is required to make

the cathode reaction proceed at a fast
enough rate.

2. Charge carriers lose energy as heat

(resistance) as they flow through the
media.

3. Mass transfer to the electrodes is slow.

A major problem with
hydrogen fuel cells is the
source of the hydrogen. The
quantity of H2 in the
atmosphere is very low so it
must be produced.

Currently, most hydrogen is

made from natural gas and
petroleum. It can also be
produced from coal in
the water gas and water gas
shift reactions. All of these use
the energy stored in fossil fuels
and generate CO2.

Electricity generated from other

means (nuclear power, hydro
power, or solar energy) can
produce hydrogen
through electrolysis. This is the
reverse of the hydrogen fuel
cell reaction. It is clear that
H2 is an energy transfer
medium rather than a fuel.

Benefits at a glance:

 Low-to-Zero Emissions
 High Efficiency
 Reliability
 Fuel Flexibility
 Energy Security
 Durability
 Scalability
 Quiet Operation

Roanak Khandelwal

1610110288