High-Efficiency, Lightweight, and Reliable Integrated Structures—The Future of Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers

Jun Zhang; Runjin Deng; Yanyan Wang; Conggan Ma; Zhaojie Shen; Yitao Shen; Stuart M. Holmes; Zhaoqi Ji

doi:10.3390/en18195319

High-Efficiency, Lightweight, and Reliable Integrated Structures—The Future of Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers

Jun Zhang
, Runjin Deng
, Yanyan Wang
, Conggan Ma
, Zhaojie Shen
, Yitao Shen
, Stuart M. Holmes^*
, Zhaoqi Ji^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Automotive Engineering College
University of Manchester

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Abstract

The high efficiency, light weight, and reliability of hydrogen energy electrochemical equipment are among the future development directions. Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and electrolyzers, as key components, have structures and strengths that determine the efficiency of their power generation and the hydrogen production efficiency of electrolyzers. This article summarizes the evolution of membrane electrode and electrolyzer structures, and their power and efficiency in recent years, highlighting the significant role of integrated structures in promoting proton transport and enhancing performance. Finally, it proposes the development direction of integrating electrolyte and electrode manufacturing using phase-change methods.

Original language	English
Article number	5319
Journal	Energies
Volume	18
Issue number	19
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3390/en18195319
State	Published - Oct 2025
Externally published	Yes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Keywords

electrolyzers
fuel cell
integrated design

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10.3390/en18195319

Cite this

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title = "High-Efficiency, Lightweight, and Reliable Integrated Structures—The Future of Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers",

abstract = "The high efficiency, light weight, and reliability of hydrogen energy electrochemical equipment are among the future development directions. Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and electrolyzers, as key components, have structures and strengths that determine the efficiency of their power generation and the hydrogen production efficiency of electrolyzers. This article summarizes the evolution of membrane electrode and electrolyzer structures, and their power and efficiency in recent years, highlighting the significant role of integrated structures in promoting proton transport and enhancing performance. Finally, it proposes the development direction of integrating electrolyte and electrode manufacturing using phase-change methods.",

keywords = "electrolyzers, fuel cell, integrated design",

author = "Jun Zhang and Runjin Deng and Yanyan Wang and Conggan Ma and Zhaojie Shen and Yitao Shen and Holmes, \{Stuart M.\} and Zhaoqi Ji",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 by the authors.",

year = "2025",

month = oct,

doi = "10.3390/en18195319",

language = "英语",

volume = "18",

journal = "Energies",

issn = "1996-1073",

publisher = "Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)",

number = "19",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - High-Efficiency, Lightweight, and Reliable Integrated Structures—The Future of Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers

AU - Zhang, Jun

AU - Deng, Runjin

AU - Wang, Yanyan

AU - Ma, Conggan

AU - Shen, Zhaojie

AU - Shen, Yitao

AU - Holmes, Stuart M.

AU - Ji, Zhaoqi

PY - 2025/10

Y1 - 2025/10

N2 - The high efficiency, light weight, and reliability of hydrogen energy electrochemical equipment are among the future development directions. Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and electrolyzers, as key components, have structures and strengths that determine the efficiency of their power generation and the hydrogen production efficiency of electrolyzers. This article summarizes the evolution of membrane electrode and electrolyzer structures, and their power and efficiency in recent years, highlighting the significant role of integrated structures in promoting proton transport and enhancing performance. Finally, it proposes the development direction of integrating electrolyte and electrode manufacturing using phase-change methods.

AB - The high efficiency, light weight, and reliability of hydrogen energy electrochemical equipment are among the future development directions. Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and electrolyzers, as key components, have structures and strengths that determine the efficiency of their power generation and the hydrogen production efficiency of electrolyzers. This article summarizes the evolution of membrane electrode and electrolyzer structures, and their power and efficiency in recent years, highlighting the significant role of integrated structures in promoting proton transport and enhancing performance. Finally, it proposes the development direction of integrating electrolyte and electrode manufacturing using phase-change methods.

KW - electrolyzers

KW - fuel cell

KW - integrated design

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105019218988

U2 - 10.3390/en18195319

DO - 10.3390/en18195319

M3 - 文献综述

AN - SCOPUS:105019218988

SN - 1996-1073

VL - 18

JO - Energies

JF - Energies

IS - 19

M1 - 5319

ER -

High-Efficiency, Lightweight, and Reliable Integrated Structures—The Future of Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

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