Overcoming ohmic losses in PEMFCs: A review of recent progress
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, cilt.275, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Derleme
- Cilt numarası: 275
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2026.157384
- Dergi Adı: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Artic & Antarctic Regions, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Compendex, Environment Index, INSPEC, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Electrode microstructure, Ionic conductivity, Ionomer distribution, Material optimisation, Ohmic losses, PEMFC
- Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Clean-energy demand and the urgency of cutting greenhouse-gas emissions have intensified interest in hydrogen technologies. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) offer high efficiency, low operating temperature and zero emissions, yet ohmic resistance remains a major barrier, dominating the loss budget above roughly 1 A cm−2. It is governed by protonic conduction and PEM–CL interfacial resistance in the membrane, proton-path continuity in the catalyst layer (CL), electron conduction in bipolar plates (BPP), and contact resistance in gas diffusion layers (GDL). Reviewing recent material, structural and interface advances, we show ohmic losses fall through optimised ionomer dispersion and CL thickness; advanced BPP coatings and composite substrates; controlled GDL compression and morphology; and reinforced or sulfonated-aromatic membranes that sustain conductivity under low-humidity, high-temperature operation. Key gaps persist in measurement standardisation, cross-study comparability, and integrating modelling with operando diagnostics. Coordinated, cell-level co-design is needed to durably suppress ohmic loss.