Research progress on key materials of phosphoric acid doped high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells

High-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFC) has fast electrode reaction kinetics, strong resistance to fuel / air impurity poisoning, a wide range of fuel sources (pure hydrogen, methanol-reforming gas, formic acid, etc.), and simple water / thermal management systems due to their high operating temperature (130℃ - 200℃) . They have become one of the important development directions of polymer membrane fuel cells. This paper mainly introduces the research progress of Beihang University in HT-PEMFC key materials-high-temperature membrane, catalytic layer, and membrane electrode assemblies in recent ten years. Aiming at the best balance between proton conductivity and mechanical properties of phosphoric acid (PA) doped high-temperature membrane, the influence mechanism of PA distribution and migration in the catalytic layer on cell performance, and the influence and attenuation mechanism of large-size membrane electrode consistency on stack performance. The molecular design of polyelectrolyte membrane materials, the regulation of ordered catalytic layer structure, and the optimization of large-size membrane electrode stack were reviewed, and the technical challenges faced by HT-PEMFC technology as well as the future development trend are reviewed and prospected. © 2022 Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (BUAA). All rights reserved.