Can Anion-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells Operate with Ambient Air?

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The operation of anion-exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) under ambient air conditions (CO 2 -containing) presents a major challenge for this technology. Additionally, the inferior performance of platinum-group-metal (PGM)-free anodes also constitutes a serious challenge to operating AEMFCs. To establish this technology as a viable alternative to mainstream fuel cell technology, AEMFCs must demonstrate competitive performance while operating in ambient air and PGM-free catalysts at both electrodes. Here, we present a first-of-its-kind, completely PGM-free AEMFC with excellent performance showing record peak power density of 515 mW/cm 2 under H 2 –O 2 and 281 mW/cm 2 under H 2 –ambient air─the latter, ten times higher (!) than the best-reported H 2 –ambient air PGM-free AEMFCs. This study represents a paradigm shift in the technology, finally demonstrating for the first time the full potential of the AEMFCs.