Novel Blend Membranes Based on Acid-Base Interactions for Fuel Cells

• Main Authors: Yongzhu Fu, Zicheng Zuo, Arumugam Manthiram
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2012-10-01
• Series: Polymers
• Subjects: proton exchange membrane fuel cell; direct methanol fuel cell; proton conductivity; acid-base interaction; blend membrane
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/4/4/1627

Fuel cells hold great promise for wide applications in portable, residential, and large-scale power supplies. For low temperature fuel cells, such as the proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), proton-exchange membranes (PEMs) are a key component determining the fuel cells performance. PEMs with high proton conductivity under anhydrous conditions can allow PEMFCs to be operated above 100 °C, enabling use of hydrogen fuels with high-CO contents and improving the electrocatalytic activity. PEMs with high proton conductivity and low methanol crossover are critical for lowering catalyst loadings at the cathode and improving the performance and long-term stability of DMFCs. This review provides a summary of a number of novel acid-base blend membranes consisting of an acidic polymer and a basic compound containing N-heterocycle groups, which are promising for PEMFCs and DMFCs.