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How does a Fuel Cell work?

  • Fuel cells use hydrogen and oxygen, either pure oxygen or from air, to generate electricity, with the only by products being water and heat.
  • A fuel cell has two electrodes, a negative anode and a positive cathode.
  • The electrodes are submerged in a electrolyte, a solution that conducts ions (can be + or -) .
  • Electricity, no matter how it’s made, is a flow of electric charges.
  • The electrolyte, a ionic conductor, closes the circuit allowing a ionic charge flow from anode to cathode.
  • A fuel cell has two electrodes, a negative anode and a positive cathode.

Half-reactions

Cathode (+) reduction:

1/2O2 + 2H++ 2ē→ H2O

Anode (-) oxidation:

H2 → 2H++ 2ē

Overall

H2 + 1/2O2 → H2O

Mobile Ion

H+

50-60% conversion efficiency vs 33-35% typical combustion engine