Porous Flow Field for Next-Generation Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Materials, Characterization, Design, and Challenges

Porous flow fields distribute fuel and oxygen for the electrochemical reactions of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells through their pore network instead of conventional flow channels. This type of flow fields has showed great promises in enhancing reactant supply, heat removal, and electrical conduction, reducing the concentration performance loss and improving operational stability for fuel cells. This review presents the research and development progress of porous flow fields with insights for next-generation PEM fuel cells of high power density (e.g., ∼9.0 kW L–1). Materials, fabrication methods, fundamentals, and fuel cell performance associated with porous flow fields are discussed in depth. Major…

• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 52025065, 52206112, 51888103, 51906189
• CP
  China Postdoctoral Science Foundation

  Award: 2022M710108
• CS
  China Scholarship Council
• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin City

  Award: 18JCJQJC46700
• CU
  Central University Basic Research Fund of China

  Award: xzy012021018