Effect of temperature on the performance factors and durability of proton exchange membrane of hydrogen fuel cell: a narrative review

Hydrogen fuel cell technology is now being extensively researched around the world to find a reliable renewable energy source. Global warming, national calamities, fossil-fuel shortages have drawn global attention to environment friendly and renewable energy source. The hydrogen fuel cell technology most certainly fits those requisites. New researches facilitate improving performance, endurance, cost-efficiency, and overcoming limitations of the fuel cells. The various factors affecting the features and the efficiency of a fuel cell must be explored in the course of advancement in a specific manner. Temperature is one of the most critical performance-changing parameters of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC). In this review paper, we have discussed the impact of temperature on the efficiency and durability of the hydrogen fuel cell, more precisely, on a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC). We found that increase in temperature increases the performance and efficiency, power production, voltage, leakage current, but decreases mass crossover and durability. But we concluded with the findings that an optimum temperature is required for the best performance. (author)