Title: Latest advances in fuel cell technologies and optimistic scenarios for their application in aircraft power systems: global achievements, critical analysis and implementation trends

Authors: Vitalii Korovushkin; Sergii Boichenko

Addresses: National Technical University of Ukraine 'Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute', 37, Prospect Beresteiskyi, 03056, Kyiv, Ukraine ' National Technical University of Ukraine 'Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute', 37, Prospect Beresteiskyi, 03056, Kyiv, Ukraine

Abstract: This paper critically reviews recent advancements in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technologies for decarbonising aircraft power systems. Using a systematic literature review and comparative analysis, it evaluates technical, economic, and regulatory barriers. Key findings highlight promising innovations such as UCLA's 200,000-hour graphene catalysts, ZeroAvia's 1.5 kW/kg PEMFC, and LH₂-powered demonstrators like Airbus ZEROe and H2FLY. Despite progress, challenges remain - low system-level power-to-weight ratios, LH₂ storage issues, high costs, and limited hydrogen infrastructure. A phased roadmap is proposed: FC adoption in UAVs/APUs by 2030, regional aircraft by 2040, and larger planes thereafter. The review highlights synergies between hydrogen fuel-cell systems and sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) - the latter acting as complementary or transitional energy carriers (including drop-in and power-to-liquid e-fuels, and as reformable feedstocks for SOFCs) - and between fuel cells and hybrid architectures (principally fuel-cell-battery hybrids for transient/peak demands and SOFC-gas-turbine hybrids to boost cruise efficiency and system power-density). Its originality lies in synthesising 2024-2025 developments, identifying aerospace-specific trade-offs, and recommending R&D priorities like PGM-free catalysts and cryogenic tank design. Fuel cells show strong potential, but success hinges on green hydrogen expansion and global policy alignment.

Keywords: hydrogen fuel cell technologies; hydrogen-powered aircraft; sustainable aviation; fuel cell electric vehicle; FCEV; renewable energy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSA.2025.150674

International Journal of Sustainable Aviation, 2025 Vol.11 No.4, pp.355 - 380

Received: 24 Jun 2025
Accepted: 30 Sep 2025
Published online: 19 Dec 2025 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article