Protonated phosphonic acid electrodes for high power heavy-duty vehicle fuel cells

State-of-the-art automotive fuel cells that operate at about 80 °C require large radiators and air intakes to avoid overheating. High-temperature above 100 under anhydrous conditions provide an ideal solution for heat rejection in heavy-duty vehicle applications. Here we report protonated phosphonic acid electrodes remarkably improve the performance of high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane cells. The acids comprise tetrafluorostyrene-phosphonic perfluorosulfonic polymers, where a proton is transferred enhance conduction cell electrodes. By using this material electrodes, obtained exhibiting rated power density 780 mW cm–2 160 °C, with minimal degradation during 2,500 h operation 700 thermal cycles from 40 load. are promising applications, but strides needed their commercial viability. it demonstrated protonating greatly enhances durability.