Analysis of proton exchange membranes for fuel cells based on statistical theory and data mining

Fuel cells (FCs) have attracted widespread attention as a highly efficient, clean, and renewable energy conversion technology. Proton exchange membrane (PEM), as one of the core components of FCs, plays a crucial role, and a comprehensive summary of its development is essential for promoting rapid progress in the field of sustainable energy. This article provides a comprehensive review of the development status and research trends of PEMs over the past twenty-eight years, based on statistical analysis and data mining techniques. Price, sustainability, stability, and compatibility issues are the main challenges faced by current PEMs used in FCs research. The current research focuses mainly on the characterization, performance optimization, enhancement mechanisms, and applications of PEMs in FCs. This review provides a systematic summary of PEM materials, serving as a valuable reference for the development, application, and promotion of new PEM materials in FCs.