Hydrogen

Fuel Cell
 Introduction
 Fuel cells offer the possibility of zero-emission electricity generation and increased energy security.

 Fuel cells work by altering chemical energy directly into electrical energy has a higher efficiency than a combustion engine
and emits much fewer emissions.

 Fuel cell could be divided into two types depending on the operating temperature which high-temperature fuel cell ( ≥500 C)
and low-temperature fuel (<300 C).

Low-temperature fuel cells are promising candidates that effectively transform hydrogen or alcohol into energy for large-scale
industrial, decentralized power sources and mobile applications.
What is a hydrogen fuel cell?
•Hydrogen fuel cells (HFCs) are a type of electrochemical cell.

•HFCs generate electricity by reduction and oxidation reactions within the cell.

•They use three main components, a fuel, an oxidant and an electrolyte.

•HFCs operate like batteries, although they require external fuel.

•HFCs are a thermodynamically open system.

•HFCs use hydrogen as a fuel, oxygen as an oxidant, a proton exchange membrane as an electrolyte,
and emit only water as waste.
Chemistry behind the technology
Oxidation: At the anode of the cell, a catalyst (platinum powder) is used to separate the proton from
the electron in the hydrogen fuel.

Anode half-reaction:

2H2  4H+ + 4e- Eo = 0.00V

Reduction: At the cathode of the cell, a second catalyst (nickel) is used to recombine the protons,
electrons, and oxygen atoms to form water.

Cathode half- reaction:

4H+ + O2 + 4e-  2H2O Eo = 0.68V

Fuel Types & Working Condition
MEA(Membrane + Catalyst layer)
Membrane function is to transport protons generated at anode to cathode side. Nano material and their derivatives
exhibit exceptional physical and chemical properties, such as, large specific area, high electrical and thermal
conductivity, greater durability, and chemical strength.

This nanocomposite membrane will reduce the gas crossover, increased open circuit voltage, and enhanced
proton conductivity. The electrode fabricated using nanomaterial MO composite will have lower resistance and
high power density.

The catalyst performance can be enhanced by increasing the surface area as well as the electrical conductivity of
the support material. . The electrochemical surface area of nanomaterial supported platinum is around 19% more
than that of the carbon supported platinum (Pt/C).
Nanomaterial-MO catalyst
We are working on metal oxide based nanomaterial catalyst for anode as well as cathode. Catalyst will
speed up the electrochemical reaction on anode and cathode side.
 High intrinsic activity,
 Large surface area.
 Good contact to current collector gases and electrolyte,
 Low sintering rate.
 High corrosion resistance.
Bipolar Plates
Bipolar plate (BP) is one of the important parts in PEMFCs. Its function includes provide support to
the cell, distribute fuel and oxidant to the electrode surface connecting, collect current from the cells.
Therefore, it should have high electrical conductivity, good mechanical strength and low gas
permeability.

Our nanomaterial has high corrosion resistance, low specific gravity, and high electrical conductivity
(106 Scm−1).The nanomaterial reinforced carbon-polymer bipolar plate will have excellent electrical
conductivity of as well as mechanical strength. We are working on nanomaterial inforced metal
composite as well as polymer metal rebar composite.

In fuel cell 30% of total fuel cell cost is of bipolar plates so we can reduce the cost of bipolar plates
using our nanomaterial.
Prototype Images & Videos