Materials demand for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells is set to grow in line with an expanding fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) market, as the hydrogen economy continues to gain traction. This report details the key information for components in PEM fuel cells such as bipolar plates (BPP), gas diffusion layers (GDL), catalyst coated membrane (CCM), membrane electrode assemblies (MEA), ionomers, platinum catalysts and more. A PEM fuel cell operates via the synergistic interaction of the various components. The BPP distributes fuel throughout the fuel cell, before the GDL transports reactants and products to/from the catalyst layer, respectively. The catalyst is coated on the membrane (CCM), while the membrane itself transports protons from one side of the fuel cell to the other. Collectively, the CCM and GDL are known as an MEA. The PEM fuel cell for transportation market…
