Abstract
In the twenty-first century, proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) and water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) represent promising technologies for clean and efficient power generation. Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) are the key components in PEMFCs and PEMWEs. Currently, all proton exchange membranes (PEMs) employed in PEMFCs or PEMWEs are based on synthetic primarily sulfonated polymers. While these synthetic polymers have good proton conductivity, they are expensive and raise environmental concerns. As a result, there is growing interest in identifying suitable alternatives that are cost-effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. Biopolymers, which are naturally occurring alternatives to synthetic polymers, are linked by covalent bonds and include cellular components such as proteins, nucleotides, lipids, and polysaccharides. Proteins derived from sustainable sources offer potential advantages for polymer production due to their ability to self-heal and their higher water transport capabilities, particularly in fast-growing plants like cannabis, soybean, corn. In this study, we aim to: (i) develop proton exchange membranes based on plant-based proteins, (ii) fabricate membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) with the protein membranes and assess their performance as PEM fuel cells and water electrolyzers, and (iii) optimize the polymerization procedures to comply with green chemistry principles and ensure high proton conductivity at temperatures ranging from 80°C to 150°C, making them suitable for use in PEMFCs and PEMWEs.
Published Version
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