Polymeric materials as anion-exchange membranes for alkaline fuel cells

In recent decades, fuel cell technology has been undergoing revolutionary developments, with fundamental progress being the replacement of electrolyte solutions with polymer electrolytes, making the device more compact in size and higher in power density. Nowadays, acidic polymer electrolytes, typically Nafion, are widely used. Despite great success, fuel cells based on acidic polyelectrolyte still depend heavily on noble metal catalysts, predominantly platinum (Pt), thus increasing the cost and hampering the widespread application of fuel cells. Here, we report a type of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC) employing a hydroxide ion-conductive polymer, quaternary ammonium polysulphone, as alkaline electrolyte and nonprecious metals, chromium-decorated nickel and silver, as the catalyst for the negative and positive electrodes, respectively. In addition to the development of a high-performance alkaline polymer electrolyte particularly suitable for fuel cells, key progress has been achieved in catalyst tailoring: The surface electronic structure of nickel has been tuned to suppress selectively the surface oxidative passivation with retained activity toward hydrogen oxidation. This report of a H2–O2 PEFC completely free from noble metal catalysts in both the positive and negative electrodes represents an important advancement in the research and development of fuel cells.

Alkaline Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells Completely Free From Noble Metal Catalysts

This critical review tersely and concisely reviews the recent development of the polymer electrolyte membranes and the relationship between their properties and affecting factors like operation temperature. In the first section, the advantages and shortcomings of the corresponding polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are analyzed. Then, the limitations of Nafion membranes and their alternatives to large-scale commercial applications are discussed. Secondly, the concepts and approaches of the alternative proton exchange membranes for low temperature and high temperature fuel cells are described. The highlights of the current scientific achievements are given for various aspects of approaches. Thirdly, the progress of anion exchange membranes is presented. Finally, the perspectives of future trends on polymer electrolyte membranes for different applications are commented on (400 references).

Advances in the high performance polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cells.

Imidazolium-functionalized polysulfone hydroxide exchange membranes for potential applications in alkaline membrane direct alcohol fuel cells

Stable and able: The hydroxide-conducting cationic functional group used in the hydroxide-exchange membranes of fuel cells is key to controlling chemical stability and solubility. A new imidazolium cation, 1,4,5-trimethyl-2-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)imidazolium, is designed to take advantage of both strong electron-donation properties and steric hindrance. Synergy between these two effects leads to an efficient hydroxide-exchange membrane, with increased alkaline stability and improved OH(-) conductivity.

Stabilizing the Imidazolium Cation in Hydroxide‐Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cells

A series of alkaline polyvinyl alcohol/1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hydroxide (PVA/[Bmim]OH) electrolyte membranes were developed via a direct blending and solution casting method. The structure and conductive properties of PVA/[Bmim]OH membranes with various concentrations of [Bmim]OH were systematically studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), tensile-strength analysis, and AC impedance spectroscopy. When blended, the PVA/[Bmim]OH membrane exhibited superior ionic conductive and the maximum ionic conductivity was found around 0.0196 S cm−1 when the weight ratio of [Bmim]OH to PVA was 2.0. A model was proposed to illustrate the structure of PVA/[Bmim]OH membranes and the effect of [Bmim]OH on the ionic conductivity of the PVA matrix. The results and the model indicated that the addition of [Bmim]OH could significantly improve the electrochemical properties of the membranes, which is a promising candidate for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) applications.

Effects of [Bmim]OH on structure and conductive properties of alkaline PVA/[Bmim]OH membranes

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/TiO 2 nanocomposites were prepared by melt-blending PET and surface-treated TiO 2 . The crystallization behavior and the non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of these composites were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Jeziorny and Mo's methods were applied to describe the kinetics of the non-isothermal crystallization process. It was found that the PET matrix with incorporated surface-treated TiO 2 particles has lower crystallization temperature and melting point than that with incorporated pure nano-TiO 2 particles. Unlike plain TiO 2 , surface-treated TiO 2 particles showed less effect on the degree of crystallization of the PET matrix.

Synthesis and Non-isothermal Crystallization Behavior of PET/Surface-treated TiO2Nanocomposites

The crystallization behavior of well‐dispersed rare‐earth doped luminous pigment/polyamide 6 (PA6) composites prepared through in situ polymerization was investigated by DSC. The rare‐earth doped luminous pigments could accelerate the forming of γ form crystals and also had a great effect on the crystallinity and crystallization rate of PA6 composites. The Ozawa, Jeziorny, and Mo methods were used to analyze the non‐isothermal crystallization kinetics. It was found that the Ozawa method was unsuitable for non‐isothermal crystallization of PA6 composites. The results of Jeziorny analysis showed that the crystallization rates of PA6 composites increased when the luminous pigment content was larger than 5 wt.%. Mo's analysis also showed that the presence of the pigment shortened the crystallization time and accelerated the crystallization rate. Polarized optical microscopy showed that the spherulites became smaller with increasing of the luminous pigment amount due to the heterogeneous nucleation.

Crystallization Behavior of Rare‐earth Doped Luminous Pigment/Polyamide 6 Composites

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Effects of [Bmim]OH on structure and conductive properties of alkaline PVA/[Bmim]OH membranes

Synthesis and Non-isothermal Crystallization Behavior of PET/Surface-treated TiO2Nanocomposites

Crystallization Behavior of Rare‐earth Doped Luminous Pigment/Polyamide 6 Composites