Zeolites and mesoporous materials in fuel cell applications

•A state-of-the-art review on the use of zeolites and molecular sieves in fuel cells.•Their role in fuel cell processes including fuel conditioning and storage.•Their incorporation in fuel cell components to achieve enhanced properties.•Discuss their function and performance as catalyst, electrode and membrane.

This review article surveys the use of zeolites and mesoporous materials in fuel cell device and, operations. Zeolites are increasingly used to modify and improve the fuel cell membrane to address the, problems of fuel crossover and membrane stability. Mesoporous carbons and carbon aerogels with, their large surface area, high porosity and good interconnectivity are considered ideal material for electrodes and electrocatalysts. Zeolites and mesoporous materials are also employed as template to create nano-, micro- and macro-scale structures for new electrocatalysts. Furthermore, zeolites are used as catalyst, adsorbent and membrane in fuel processing from hydrogen production to purification.

Graphical abstractZeolites, molecular sieves and mesoporous materials find applications as catalyst, electrode, membrane and storage material in fuel cell and fuel cell processes.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (175 K)Download as PowerPoint slide