A Review of PEMFC and SOFC Fuel Cell Technologies

A fuel cell (FC) is an energy conversion device. It converts chemical energy into electrical energy;
providing electrical power to perform work. This is in contrast to a battery, which is an energy
storage device. While a battery also converts chemical energy into electrical energy, it is a closed
system and so its energy output depends on the amount of energy initially stored in it; whereas a
fuel cell can continue to provide energy for as long as fuel is provided. However, in reality, because
of operational wear and tear, even fuel cells have finite lifetimes.
An Introduction to Fuel Cells
All fuel cells, regardless of their type, require certain basic elements: Fuel, Oxidant, Electrolyte,
Anode, Cathode. Depending upon the fuel cell type and its material construction, the electrolyte will
conduct either positive or negative ions. These ions are produced by the electrochemical reactions
that take place at the anode and cathode; fuel enters on the anode side, while oxidant enters on the
cathode side.
Fuel cells have higher conversion efficiencies when compared to heat engines. And from an
environmental aspect, fuel cell emissions are less adverse than those of the heat engine devices in
use today.
To date, fuel cell technology has been successfully demonstrated. It has also been piloted in various

applications. Fuel cells have realized partial commercialization; the economics of fuel cell
technology require further enhancement for pervasive commercialization.

Today, a plurality of fuel cell types are in existence. This article will focus on the following two types:
the PEMFC and the SOFC.
Basic Principles: Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)
PEMFC is short for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane or Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell. The
most salient feature of the PEMFC is its electrolyte, which in this case is a polymer membrane. The
polymer membrane exhibits selective permeability, conducting protons or H+ ions. These protons
are produced at the anode, very often with the aid of a catalyst.The fuel in this case is hydrogen,
while the oxidant is oxygen. As hydrogen undergoes catalytic oxidation, and since the PEM does not
conduct electrons, the hydrogen electrons travel via an external circuit, creating current flow that
can be used to perform work. The electrons travel from the anode to the cathode, where they
combine with oxygen and hydrogen ions to produce water. Due to the material construction of the
PEM, these types of fuel cells are usually limited to operating temperatures of 60-80 deg C.

Basic Principles: Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC)

SOFC is short for Solid Oxide fuel cell. The
most salient feature of the SOFC is its
electrolyte, which in this case is a ceramic
material; a nonporous, ion conducting oxide.
The ceramic electrolyte in an SOFC conducts
oxygen ions.These ions are produced at the
cathode, very often with the aid of a catalyst.
The fuel in this case can be hydrogen, while the
oxidant is oxygen. As oxygen undergoes catalytic reduction, oxygen ions travel from the cathode to
the anode, where they combine with hydrogen to produce water and liberate electrons. These
electrons travel via an external circuit, traveling from anode to cathode, creating a current flow that
can be used to perform work. These types of fuel cells usually require higher operating temperatures
when compared to the PEMFC; in the range of 600-1000 deg C.
A Comparison: PEMFC vs SOFCBoth, the PEMFC and the SOFC make use of a solid electrolyte,
which is very effective in minimizing gas crossover. The PEMFC electrolyte is polymer-based, while
the SOFC electrolyte is ceramic-based.Whereas the SOFC operating temperature is in the range of
600-1000 deg C, the PEMFC operating temperature is in the range of 60-80 deg C. Thus, SOFCs are
compatible with high temperature reforming reactions, while PEMFCs are not.The performance of
both, the PEMFC and SOFC can be affected by certain species. Carbon monoxide, at the ppm level,
will poison the PEM, whereas carbon monoxide can be a possible fuel source for the SOFC. Sulfur, at
the ppm level, will poison the SOFC, while the effects of sulfur on the PEM are not fully understood
just yet.ReferencesU.S. Department of Energy, Fuel Cell Handbook 5th edition; 2000.Barbir, Frano.
PEM Fuel Cells: Theory and Practice. Elsevier Inc.; 2005.S.C. Singhal, K. Kendall. High Temperature
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Fundamentals, Design, and Applications. Elsevier Inc.; 2003.O. Yamamoto,
Solid oxide fuel cells: fundamental aspects and prospects, Electrochimica Acta 45 (2000) 24232435.N.Q. Minh, Solid oxide fuel cell technology features and applications, Solid State Ionics 174

(2004) 271-277.P. Zegers, Fuel cell commercialization: The key to a hydrogen economy, Journal of
Power Sources 154 (2006) 497-502.J.H. Wee, Applications of proton exchange membrane fuel cell
systems, Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews 11 (2007) 1720-1738.G. Cacciola, V. Antonucci,
S. Freni, Technology up date and new strategies on fuel cells, Journal of Power Sources 100 (2001)
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