The performance of a fuel cell -- a device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy -- depends on how well the ions can move through the cell's material. Most current fuel cells operate at high temperatures above 500 °C. To reduce costs and enable the use of various fuels, researchers aim to develop fuel cells that work efficiently in the intermediate temperature range of 200-500 °C. However, progress has been limited by a lack of materials that can conduct ions effectively at these temperatures. A team from Tohoku University has now discovered a new material that can conduct both protons and electrons efficiently at the "moderate" temperature range.
They published their findings on August 18, 2025 in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
"Such materials are essential for developing next-generation hydrogen energy devices, like fuel cells and hydrogen separation membranes," said Tomoyuki Yamasaki, assistant professor at Tohoku University's Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials. "These devices help convert hydrogen into electricity or produce hydrogen more efficiently, which supports the shift toward a sustainable, low-carbon society."
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