How do fuel cells generate electricity?

Fuel cells generate electricity by converting chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with oxygen.

Fuel cells work by using a chemical reaction to produce electricity. This is different from a traditional battery, which stores energy in an electrochemical form and releases it as needed. Instead, a fuel cell continues to produce electricity as long as fuel and oxygen are supplied. The fuel used is typically hydrogen, and the oxygen comes from the air around us.

The fuel cell itself consists of two electrodes, an anode and a cathode, separated by an electrolyte. The hydrogen fuel is fed into the anode, and oxygen into the cathode. At the anode, a catalyst causes the hydrogen to split into positive hydrogen ions (protons) and negatively charged electrons. The electrolyte allows the protons to pass through to the cathode, but not the electrons, which creates a flow of electricity through an external circuit.

At the cathode, oxygen from the air combines with the electrons and protons to form water, which is the only by-product of the reaction. This makes fuel cells a clean and efficient source of power. The catalysts used in fuel cells are often made from precious metals like platinum, which can make them expensive to produce.

Fuel cells have a wide range of applications, from powering electric vehicles to providing energy for buildings and electronic devices. They are a promising technology for a sustainable future, as they produce electricity without burning fossil fuels and their only by-product is water. However, there are still challenges to overcome, such as finding cheaper and more durable materials for the catalysts and improving the efficiency of the hydrogen production process.