Mechanisms and Modelling of Effects on the Degradation Processes of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell: A Comprehensive Review
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs), recognised for their high efficiency and zero emissions, represent a promising solution for automotive applications. Despite their potential, durability challenges under real-world automotive operating conditions—arising from chemical, mechanical, cataly...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | Energies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/8/2117 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850144501680570368 |
|---|---|
| author | Krystof Foniok Lubomira Drozdova Lukas Prokop Filip Krupa Pavel Kedron Vojtech Blazek |
| author_facet | Krystof Foniok Lubomira Drozdova Lukas Prokop Filip Krupa Pavel Kedron Vojtech Blazek |
| author_sort | Krystof Foniok |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs), recognised for their high efficiency and zero emissions, represent a promising solution for automotive applications. Despite their potential, durability challenges under real-world automotive operating conditions—arising from chemical, mechanical, catalytic, and thermal degradation processes intensified by contaminants—limit their broader adoption. This review aims to systematically assess recent advancements in understanding and modelling PEMFC degradation mechanisms. The article critically evaluates experimental approaches integrated with advanced physicochemical modelling techniques, such as impedance spectroscopy, microstructural analysis, and hybrid modelling approaches, highlighting their strengths and specific limitations. Experimental studies conducted under dynamic, realistic conditions provide precise data for validating these models. The review explicitly compares physics-based, data-driven, and hybrid modelling strategies, discussing trade-offs between accuracy, computational demand, and generalizability. Key findings emphasise that hybrid models effectively balance precision with computational efficiency. Finally, the article identifies apparent research gaps. It suggests future directions, including developing degradation-resistant materials, improved simulation methodologies, and intelligent control systems to optimise PEMFC performance and enhance operational lifespan. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b5c65d89fcb74d64b1dbeb2757afed39 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-b5c65d89fcb74d64b1dbeb2757afed392025-08-20T02:28:20ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-04-01188211710.3390/en18082117Mechanisms and Modelling of Effects on the Degradation Processes of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell: A Comprehensive ReviewKrystof Foniok0Lubomira Drozdova1Lukas Prokop2Filip Krupa3Pavel Kedron4Vojtech Blazek5Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 15, 708 33 Ostrava-Poruba, Czech RepublicENET Centre, CEET, VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 2172/15, 708 00 Ostrava-Poruba, Czech RepublicENET Centre, CEET, VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 2172/15, 708 00 Ostrava-Poruba, Czech RepublicENET Centre, CEET, VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 2172/15, 708 00 Ostrava-Poruba, Czech RepublicENET Centre, CEET, VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 2172/15, 708 00 Ostrava-Poruba, Czech RepublicENET Centre, CEET, VSB-Technical University of Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 2172/15, 708 00 Ostrava-Poruba, Czech RepublicProton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs), recognised for their high efficiency and zero emissions, represent a promising solution for automotive applications. Despite their potential, durability challenges under real-world automotive operating conditions—arising from chemical, mechanical, catalytic, and thermal degradation processes intensified by contaminants—limit their broader adoption. This review aims to systematically assess recent advancements in understanding and modelling PEMFC degradation mechanisms. The article critically evaluates experimental approaches integrated with advanced physicochemical modelling techniques, such as impedance spectroscopy, microstructural analysis, and hybrid modelling approaches, highlighting their strengths and specific limitations. Experimental studies conducted under dynamic, realistic conditions provide precise data for validating these models. The review explicitly compares physics-based, data-driven, and hybrid modelling strategies, discussing trade-offs between accuracy, computational demand, and generalizability. Key findings emphasise that hybrid models effectively balance precision with computational efficiency. Finally, the article identifies apparent research gaps. It suggests future directions, including developing degradation-resistant materials, improved simulation methodologies, and intelligent control systems to optimise PEMFC performance and enhance operational lifespan.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/8/2117PEM fuel celldegradation processeseffects of the vehicle load modemodelling |
| spellingShingle | Krystof Foniok Lubomira Drozdova Lukas Prokop Filip Krupa Pavel Kedron Vojtech Blazek Mechanisms and Modelling of Effects on the Degradation Processes of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell: A Comprehensive Review Energies PEM fuel cell degradation processes effects of the vehicle load mode modelling |
| title | Mechanisms and Modelling of Effects on the Degradation Processes of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_full | Mechanisms and Modelling of Effects on the Degradation Processes of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_fullStr | Mechanisms and Modelling of Effects on the Degradation Processes of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mechanisms and Modelling of Effects on the Degradation Processes of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_short | Mechanisms and Modelling of Effects on the Degradation Processes of a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell: A Comprehensive Review |
| title_sort | mechanisms and modelling of effects on the degradation processes of a proton exchange membrane pem fuel cell a comprehensive review |
| topic | PEM fuel cell degradation processes effects of the vehicle load mode modelling |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/8/2117 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT krystoffoniok mechanismsandmodellingofeffectsonthedegradationprocessesofaprotonexchangemembranepemfuelcellacomprehensivereview AT lubomiradrozdova mechanismsandmodellingofeffectsonthedegradationprocessesofaprotonexchangemembranepemfuelcellacomprehensivereview AT lukasprokop mechanismsandmodellingofeffectsonthedegradationprocessesofaprotonexchangemembranepemfuelcellacomprehensivereview AT filipkrupa mechanismsandmodellingofeffectsonthedegradationprocessesofaprotonexchangemembranepemfuelcellacomprehensivereview AT pavelkedron mechanismsandmodellingofeffectsonthedegradationprocessesofaprotonexchangemembranepemfuelcellacomprehensivereview AT vojtechblazek mechanismsandmodellingofeffectsonthedegradationprocessesofaprotonexchangemembranepemfuelcellacomprehensivereview |