Abstract:

Significance The growing demand for electrical energy, driven by industrial development, urbanization and rising living standards, highlights the urgent need for sustainable alternative energy solutions. Conventional energy sources, primarily fossil fuels, are becoming increasingly unsuitable due to their impact on the environment. In order to address these challenges, fuel cells have received attention as a promising clean energy technology. The core component of fuel cell operation is the ion exchange membrane, which plays a key role in determining the overall efficiency, stability and service life of the fuel cell. Therefore, advancing the performance and cost-effectiveness of fuel cell technology, especially ion exchange membranes, is critical. This study examines in detail the current status of ion exchange membrane technology in fuel cells, highlighting its key role in promoting fuel cells as a mainstream energy source. By increasing the efficiency of these membranes and reducing production costs, fuel cells can be more widely used, supporting the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon energy future.

Progress Significant progress has been made in the development of ion exchange membranes for fuel cells over the past few decades. One of the main challenges in membrane technology is balancing high ionic conductivity, mechanical strength, and chemical stability. These properties are critical to ensuring long-term efficiency and durability of fuel cells under a variety of operating conditions. In order to address these challenges, researchers have developed several types of ion exchange membranes, including proton exchange membranes (PEMs), anion exchange membranes (AEMs), and amphoteric ion exchange membranes (AEMDs). Each type of membrane has unique properties tailored for specific fuel cell applications. For example, PEMs are commonly used in proton exchange fuel cells and have high proton conductivity, but face challenges with temperature stability. AEMs, on the other hand, are more suitable for alkaline fuel cells and have the potential to reduce costs and enhance stability in harsh environments. In addition to developing various membrane types, substantial progress has been made in improving these membranes to enhance their performance. Blending different polymer materials or adding nanoparticles to the membrane are effective strategies to improve mechanical strength and ionic conductivity. These improvements help reduce membrane losses and increase ion transport efficiency, thereby improving the overall performance of the fuel cell. In addition, these advances have helped reduce costs, making fuel cells more commercially viable. The addition of materials such as nanocomposites and conductive polymers has enabled the development of membranes that perform well in both high-temperature and high-humidity conditions, addressing some of the key limitations of earlier designs. These innovations have opened up new avenues for the commercialization of fuel cells, making them a more practical alternative to traditional energy sources in a variety of applications, from automobiles to stationary power generation.

Conclusion and Prospect Despite the encouraging progress in the development of ion exchange membranes for fuel cells, several challenges still exist that hinder their widespread commercialization. The most important of these issues is the low ionic conductivity of many ion exchange membranes at high temperatures, which reduces the overall efficiency of fuel cells in practical applications. In addition, the stability of these membranes under harsh operating conditions remains a key challenge. In addition, while advances in membrane materials and manufacturing technologies have brought about improved performance, the cost-effectiveness of these technologies remains a barrier to large-scale adoption. In order to address these challenges, future research must focus on exploring new materials that provide better ionic conductivity and stability at higher temperatures. Novel polymers, hybrid materials, and nanomaterials are currently the mainstream research directions. In addition, optimizing the structure and composition of ion exchange membranes can further improve their performance, especially by improving their resistance to chemical degradation and enhancing their thermal stability. With the continuous progress in materials science, manufacturing technology, and system integration, fuel cells and their ion exchange membranes are expected to play a key role in achieving global carbon reduction goals. As the technology matures and becomes more cost-effective, fuel cells are likely to make a significant contribution to meeting the world's energy needs in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. This shift will not only transform the energy industry, but also pave the way for a more sustainable, cleaner energy future.

Key words: fuel cell, ion exchange membrane, proton exchange membrane, power density, proton conductivity