Syeda M. Zahan, A. A. Baranov, Karam Yassin, J. Zhong, John C. Douglin, Sapir Willdorf‐Cohen, Sourav Bhowmick, Jaana Lilloja, Kaido Tammeveski, Yoed Tsur, Dario Dekel
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide The operation of anion-exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) under ambient air conditions (CO 2 -containing) presents a major challenge for this technology. Additionally, the inferior performance of platinum-group-metal (PGM)-free anodes also constitutes a serious challenge to operating AEMFCs. To establish this technology as a viable alternative to mainstream fuel cell technology, AEMFCs must demonstrate competitive performance while operating in ambient air and PGM-free catalysts at both electrodes. Here, we present a first-of-its-kind, completely PGM-free AEMFC with excellent performance showing record peak power density of 515 mW/cm 2 under H 2 –O 2 and 281 mW/cm 2 under H 2 –ambient air─the latter, ten times higher (!) than the best-reported H 2 –ambient air PGM-free AEMFCs. This study represents a paradigm shift in the technology, finally demonstrating for the first time the full potential of the AEMFCs.