NCERT · Class 12 · Chemistry · ElectrochemistryWhat is fuel cell? Write its main advantage.

A fuel cell is a specialized galvanic cell that is specifically engineered to continuously convert the chemical energy of combustion of externally supplied fuels, such as hydrogen gas, methane, or methanol, directly and efficiently into useful electrical energy without involving intermediate thermal combustion steps. The primary and most significant advantage of operating a fuel cell is that it exhibits a remarkably high energy conversion efficiency compared to conventional thermal power plants, while simultaneously generating clean byproducts such as pure water, thereby causing virtually no environmental pollution.