Fuel cells are the dream power source for vehicles: they can use
hydrogen and oxygen as fuel and oxidizer, respectively, and
produce only electricity and water (plus a little heat).
Compared to battery-powered electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered
fuel cell vehicles offer higher energy density, which leads to
greater range and lower weight. Sure, they have their
downsides—such as requiring a complete hydrogen infrastructure à
la oil pipelines and fueling stations—but batteries vs. fuel
cells is a debate for another day (and story). The first
hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (General Motors/Chevy Electrovan) was
created in 1966. Researchers have been developing proton
exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells for past 15 years. So why
don’t we see any in cars on the road? In a word: catalysts.
Despite intense development, catalysts used in PEM fuel cells
haven’t reached the levels of performance, lifetime, or cost to
be commercially viable. In a recent issue of Nature, Mark Debe,
senior scientist in the Fuel Cell Components