Abstract
In this work, polybenzimidazole (PBI) membranes with different graphene oxide (GO) contents (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 wt %) as organic filler have been prepared. The X-ray diffraction confirms the incorporation of the filler into the polymeric membrane. The composite GO-based PBI membranes show better proton conductivity at high temperature (110–170 °C) than the pristine one. Moreover, the hydrophobicity of the PBI membranes is also improved, enhancing water management. The chemical stability demonstrates the benefit of the incorporation of GO in the PBI matrix. What is more, the composite PBI-based membranes show better phosphoric acid retention capability. For the first time, the results of the SO2-depolarized electrolysis for hydrogen production at high temperature (130 °C) using phosphoric acid-doped polybenzimidazole (PBI) membranes with the different GO contents are shown. The benefit of the organic filler is demonstrated, as H2SO4 production is 1.5 times higher when the membrane with a content of 1 wt % of GO is used. Moreover, three times more hydrogen is produced with the membrane containing 2 wt % of GO compared with the non-modified membrane. The obtained results are very promising and provide open research for this kind of composite membranes for green hydrogen production by the Westinghouse cycle.
Highlights
In a recent report: “Hydrogen Roadmap Europe: A sustainable pathway for the European Energy Transition” carried out by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking (FCH JU), the use of hydrogen in large quantities is highlighted to address the challenges ahead for the decarbonization of key sectors such as the gas grid, transport, and industrial processes that use high-grade heat and hydrogen as chemical feedstock in Europe [1].In addition, the electrification of the economy and the large-scale integration of intermittent renewable energy sources require large-scale energy storage systems, enabling seasonal storage and the efficient regional transport of clean energy at low cost
Three times more hydrogen is produced with the membrane containing 2 wt % of graphene oxide (GO) compared with the non-modified membrane
Different processes for green hydrogen production are proposed such as water electrolysis [4], biomass processes [5], photocatalytic water splitting [5,6], or thermochemical cycles [7,8,9]
Summary
The electrification of the economy and the large-scale integration of intermittent renewable energy sources require large-scale energy storage systems, enabling seasonal storage and the efficient regional transport of clean energy at low cost In this scenario, the binomial renewable energy, hydrogen, can play a paramount role for the integration of renewable energies and green hydrogen production [2]. The most used and cost-effective process for the production of large amounts of hydrogen is steam reforming from fossil fuels with the issue of carbon emissions [3] Due to this situation, different processes for green hydrogen production are proposed such as water electrolysis [4], biomass processes [5], photocatalytic water splitting [5,6], or thermochemical cycles [7,8,9]. Thermochemical water splitting cycles using a high-temperature thermal renewable source have been included as one of the candidates for “green hydrogen” production in the European Union [10]
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