Alkaline fuel cells: a critical view

Low-temperature fuel cells constitute an important element in pollution-free energy conversion. Although many groups have stopped working in the field of alkaline fuel cells (AFCs) in recent years in Germany, a few groups in Europe continue. Recent important projects are presented here. The mathematical simulation of fuel cells and a few examples of fundamental research on catalysts are shown. It is concluded from these fundamental investigations, that poisoning of electrocatalysts in AFCs with rolled electrodes due to carbon dioxide does not take place. A brief view of calculations of the costs of well known fuel cell systems is also presented. The calculations show that the AFCs are as cheap as other small fuel cell systems. AFCs are as suitable for mobile applications as other low-temperature fuel cells.