- Year not given
SOFC versus PEMFC
Short answer
Both convert hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, heat, and water without combustion, using anode, cathode, and electrolyte. SOFC uses solid ceramic electrolyte, operates at 600–1000°C, transports O²⁻, and can use various fuels; PEMFC uses polymer membrane, operates at 60–80°C, transports H⁺, and requires pure hydrogen.
What are the similarities and differences between SOFC and PEMFC?
Both are electrochemical devices that convert hydrogen-rich fuel and oxygen into electricity, heat and water without combustion.
Similarities
- Both consist of anode, cathode and electrolyte, and cells are stacked to get higher voltage.
- Overall reaction with hydrogen is the same: H₂ + ½O₂ → H₂O.
- Both are efficient and quiet, produce low emissions, and have no moving parts in the cell.
- Both give DC power and use catalysts at electrodes.
Differences
| Point | SOFC | PEMFC |
|---|---|---|
| Electrolyte | Solid ceramic (YSZ) | Solid polymer membrane (Nafion) |
| Ion transported | Oxide ion O²⁻ (cathode to anode) | Proton H⁺ (anode to cathode) |
| Operating temperature | 600–1000 °C | 60–80 °C |
| Water produced at | Anode | Cathode |
| Catalyst | Nickel / ceramic, no platinum | Platinum |
| Fuel | H₂, CO, natural gas, biogas (internal reforming) | Pure H₂ (CO poisons it) |
| Efficiency | 50–60% (up to 85% with CHP) | 40–60% |
| Start-up | Slow (hours) | Fast (seconds) |
| Application | Stationary power, CHP | Vehicles, portable and backup power |
| Cost issue | Materials and thermal stress | Platinum and membrane |
| Anode reaction | H₂ + O²⁻ → H₂O + 2e⁻ | H₂ → 2H⁺ + 2e⁻ |
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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