Nature Energy intl_tech D1

发布：2026-05-28 · 事件：2026-05-28

Subjects Fuel cells Hydrogen fuel Abstract Operating anion-exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) with CO 2 -containing ambient-air feed is conventionally seen as a difficult challenge detrimental to c...

Subjects Fuel cells Hydrogen fuel Abstract Operating anion-exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) with CO 2 -containing ambient-air feed is conventionally seen as a difficult challenge detrimental to cell performance, because CO 2 reacts with hydroxide ions generated at the cathode, forming (bi)carbonate ions that reduce AEM ionic conductivity. In this Perspective, we discuss the effect of CO 2 in operando AEMFCs, which involves a complex interplay of multi-anion transport, concentration polarization, back-diffusion, changes in water distribution, cation stability and variations in local pH. We argue that the negative effects of CO 2 may be managed to minimize them, and even exploited to advantage. We introduce two concepts: CO 2 management and the positive stabilizing effect of CO 2 . The first, analogous to the water-management effect, relates to phenomena and strategies to balance, transport and utilize CO 2 -related species to enhance AEMFC performance. The second, although counterintuitive, relates to the potentially positive effects that CO 2 may impart to ambient-air cell operation, in particular towards improving long-term performance stability. Access through your institution Buy or subscribe This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution Access options Access through your institution Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription 27,99 € / 30 days cancel any time Learn more Subscribe to this journal Receive 12 digital issues and online access to articles 111,21 € per year only 9,27 € per issue Learn more Buy this article Purchase on SpringerLink Instant access to the full article PDF. 39,95 € Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout Fig. 1: Effect of CO 2 on membrane conductivity, cell performance and losses in operando AEMFCs. The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI. Fig. 2: Processes governing CO 2 transport and transformation in operando AEMFC. The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI. Fig. 3: Model simulation results of the impact of current density on CO 2 transport behaviour and ion distribution in operando AEMFCs. The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI. Fig. 4: The effect of CO 2 on the stability of ionomeric materials and AEMFC operation. The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI. Fig. 5: Research directions to explore CO 2 management in H 2 –ambient-air AEMFCs. The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI. Similar content being viewed by others Anion effects govern efficiency of electrochemical amine-mediated CO 2 capture/release Article Open access 11 December 2025 Voltage distribution within carbon dioxide reduction electrolysers Article 22 September 2025 Efficient CO 2 absorption through wet and falling film membrane contactors: insights from modeling and simulation Article Open access 07 July 2023 References Yang, Y. et al. Electrocatalysis in alkaline media and alkaline membrane-based energy technologies. Chem. Rev. 122 , 6117–6321 (2022). Article Google Scholar Yang, Y. et al. Anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzers and fuel cells. Chem. Soc. Rev. 51 , 9620–9693 (2022). Article Google Scholar Adabi, H. et al. High-performing commercial Fe–N–C cathode electrocatalyst for anion-exchange membrane fuel cells. Nat. Energy 6 , 834–843 (2021). Article Google Scholar Hossen, M. d. M. et al. State-of-the-art and developmental trends in platinum group metal-free cathode catalyst for anion exchange membrane fuel cell (AEMFC). Appl. Catal. B 325 , 121733 (2023). Article Google Scholar Ni, W. et al. An efficient nickel hydrogen oxidation catalyst for hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells. Nat. Mater. 21 , 804–810 (2022). Article Google Scholar Ren, J.-T., Chen, L., Wang, H.-Y., Feng, Y. & Yuan, Z.-Y. Hydrogen oxidation electrocatalysts for anion-exchange membrane fuel cells: activity descriptors, stability regulation, and perspectives. Energy Environ. Sci. 17 , 3960–4009 (2024). Article Google Scholar Liu, X. et al. Magnetic-field-oriented mixed-valence-stabilized ferrocenium anion-exchange membranes for fuel cells. Nat. Energy 7 , 329–339 (2022). Article Google Scholar Fan, J. et al. Poly(bis-arylimidazoliums) possessing high hydroxide ion exchange capacity and high alkaline stability. Nat. Commun. 10 , 2306 (2019). Article Google Scholar Wang, J. et al. Poly(aryl piperidinium) membranes and ionomers for hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells. Nat. Energy 4 , 392–398 (2019). Article Google Scholar Chen, N. et al. Poly(fluorenyl aryl piperidinium) membranes and ionomers for anion exchange membrane fuel cells. Nat. Commun. 12 , 2367 (2021). Article Google Scholar Abbasi, R., Setzler, B. P. & Yan, Y. Material and system development needs for widespread deployment of hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells in light-duty vehicles. Energy Environ