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Intermediate temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells: a systematic review of recently electrochemically evaluated materials

Butori, Martina ; Petrovick, John ; Eriksson, Björn ; Liljenberg, Marcus ; Ringström, Marcus ; Jannasch, Patric LU orcid ; Svens, Pontus ; Lagergren, Carina ; Lindbergh, Göran and Lindström, Rakel Wreland (2026) In Applied Energy 410.
Abstract
The integration of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) in heavy-duty vehicles and other demanding applications, such as aviation, would be simplified if the stacks could operate above 100 °C instead of the traditional low temperature (LT, up to 80 °C), thereby allowing a reduction in cooling system in size and power. This review offers a comprehensive compilation of experimental studies reported in the literature on PEMFCs operated in the intermediate temperature (IT)-range, here defined as above 80 °C and up to 120 °C, which represented the targeted upper temperature for PEMFCs. Membranes, electrodes and gas diffusion layers for IT-PEMFCs are discussed. Particular attention is paid to polymers in membranes and catalyst layer... (More)
The integration of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) in heavy-duty vehicles and other demanding applications, such as aviation, would be simplified if the stacks could operate above 100 °C instead of the traditional low temperature (LT, up to 80 °C), thereby allowing a reduction in cooling system in size and power. This review offers a comprehensive compilation of experimental studies reported in the literature on PEMFCs operated in the intermediate temperature (IT)-range, here defined as above 80 °C and up to 120 °C, which represented the targeted upper temperature for PEMFCs. Membranes, electrodes and gas diffusion layers for IT-PEMFCs are discussed. Particular attention is paid to polymers in membranes and catalyst layer ionomers. Results from current state-of-the-art perfluorosulfonic acids and alternatives, including hydrocarbon polymers, are evaluated considering their properties and limitations. Further, system benefits and drawbacks of IT- compared to the traditional LT-operation are discussed, such as the interplay between vapour and oxygen pressure, hydrogen crossover and water management. We report on the lack of consistency between ex-situ and in-situ studies and underline the importance of in-situ tests, proposing guidelines to evaluate novel materials. For IT-operation, the development of stable polymers, which are the weakest components of the PEMFCs, is the most urgent challenge. As degradation happens faster at higher temperatures, further long-term tests are needed above 80 °C and accelerated stress tests should be specifically designed for IT-operation according to the polymer chemistries. We conclude that, compared to LT-, IT-operation requires improved materials and additional research. (Less)
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author
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Applied Energy
volume
410
article number
127499
pages
27 pages
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:105030661589
ISSN
1872-9118
DOI
10.1016/j.apenergy.2026.127499
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Part of special issue “Towards Zero Carbon Emission Smart Cities Driven by Hydrogen Energy”
id
80fe32e1-d00e-4957-93d1-c4d18f8c1301
date added to LUP
2025-02-15 18:14:17
date last changed
2026-03-23 04:31:47
@article{80fe32e1-d00e-4957-93d1-c4d18f8c1301,
  abstract     = {{The integration of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) in heavy-duty vehicles and other demanding applications, such as aviation, would be simplified if the stacks could operate above 100 °C instead of the traditional low temperature (LT, up to 80 °C), thereby allowing a reduction in cooling system in size and power. This review offers a comprehensive compilation of experimental studies reported in the literature on PEMFCs operated in the intermediate temperature (IT)-range, here defined as above 80 °C and up to 120 °C, which represented the targeted upper temperature for PEMFCs. Membranes, electrodes and gas diffusion layers for IT-PEMFCs are discussed. Particular attention is paid to polymers in membranes and catalyst layer ionomers. Results from current state-of-the-art perfluorosulfonic acids and alternatives, including hydrocarbon polymers, are evaluated considering their properties and limitations. Further, system benefits and drawbacks of IT- compared to the traditional LT-operation are discussed, such as the interplay between vapour and oxygen pressure, hydrogen crossover and water management. We report on the lack of consistency between ex-situ and in-situ studies and underline the importance of in-situ tests, proposing guidelines to evaluate novel materials. For IT-operation, the development of stable polymers, which are the weakest components of the PEMFCs, is the most urgent challenge. As degradation happens faster at higher temperatures, further long-term tests are needed above 80 °C and accelerated stress tests should be specifically designed for IT-operation according to the polymer chemistries. We conclude that, compared to LT-, IT-operation requires improved materials and additional research.}},
  author       = {{Butori, Martina and Petrovick, John and Eriksson, Björn and Liljenberg, Marcus and Ringström, Marcus and Jannasch, Patric and Svens, Pontus and Lagergren, Carina and Lindbergh, Göran and Lindström, Rakel Wreland}},
  issn         = {{1872-9118}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Applied Energy}},
  title        = {{Intermediate temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells: a systematic review of recently electrochemically evaluated materials}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2026.127499}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.apenergy.2026.127499}},
  volume       = {{410}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}