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How does a small structural change of anode ionomer make a big difference in alkaline membrane fuel cell performance?

Anode ionomers of alkaline membrane fuel cells (AMFCs) play a critical role in hydrogen and water transport thus affecting cell performance and durability. Here, we modified a quaternized poly(biphenyl alkylene) ionomer with two chemical structural variations to increase hydrogen access to the AMFC...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability Materials for energy and sustainability, 2019-11, Vol.7 (43), p.254-2546
Main Authors: Park, Eun Joo, Maurya, Sandip, Lee, Albert S, Leonard, Daniel P, Li, Dongguo, Jeon, Jong Yeob, Bae, Chulsung, Kim, Yu Seung
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Anode ionomers of alkaline membrane fuel cells (AMFCs) play a critical role in hydrogen and water transport thus affecting cell performance and durability. Here, we modified a quaternized poly(biphenyl alkylene) ionomer with two chemical structural variations to increase hydrogen access to the AMFC anode: first, we introduced the symmetric dimethyl groups in the polymer backbone to increase polymer fractional free volume. Second, we replaced hydroxide-conducting alkyl trimethylammonium with alkyl triethylammonium to reduce cation-hydroxide-water co-adsorption on the hydrogen oxidation catalyst to increase hydrogen access to the co-adsorbed layer. We compared the performance benefits of the two structural variations through operating AMFCs under H 2 /O 2 conditions. The membrane electrode assembly employing the modified poly(biphenyl alkylene) ionomer at the anode exhibited >1500 mW cm −2 peak power density at 80 °C with stable short-term durability (>100 h) under a constant current density of 0.6 A cm −2 . This study provides an essential insight into designing anode ionomer of highly performing AMFCs. Small changes in anode ionomeric binder structure may bring significant performance and durability improvement of anion-exchange membrane fuel cells.
ISSN:2050-7488
2050-7496
DOI:10.1039/c9ta10157h