Beijing Institute of Technology researchers develop high-power hydrogen fuel cell

Researchers at the Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) have developed a new proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell capable of producing approximately four times the power output of conventional designs. The breakthrough focuses on overcoming a major bottleneck in hydrogen fuel cells: the speed at which protons move through the catalyst layer.

To address this, the team engineered a Brønsted acid-Lewis base interface. This new material interface facilitates more efficient proton transport by creating additional sites for proton transfer. Experimental data showed a tenfold increase in proton diffusion speed and a 6.5-fold improvement in proton conductivity, while reducing the required activation energy by more than half.

According to Li Jie, an assistant professor at BIT and study co-author, this technology could allow the power stacks in fuel cell vehicles to become smaller and lighter. Such advancements could lead to stronger continuous power output and extended driving ranges, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles, long-range transport, and aerospace applications.