Abstract
A fuel cell is an electrochemical device that converts the chemical energy of a fuel and oxidant into electricity. Cation-exchange and anion-exchange membranes play an important role in hydrogen fed proton-exchange membrane (PEM) and anion-exchange membrane (AEM) fuel cells, respectively. Over the past 10 years, there has been growing interest in using nanofiber electrospinning to fabricate fuel cell PEMs and AEMs with improved properties, e.g., a high ion conductivity with low in-plane water swelling and good mechanical strength under wet and dry conditions. Electrospinning is used to create either reinforcing scaffolds that can be pore-filled with an ionomer or precursor mats of interwoven ionomer and reinforcing polymers, which after suitable processing (densification) form a functional membrane. In this review paper, methods of nanofiber composite PEMs and AEMs fabrication are reviewed and the properties of these membranes are discussed and contrasted with the properties of fuel cell membranes prepared using conventional methods. The information and discussions contained herein are intended to provide inspiration for the design of high-performance next-generation fuel cell ion-exchange membranes.
Highlights
With the inevitable depletion of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, and the increasingly stringent requirements for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, it is urgent to seek environmentally friendly, renewable energy sources that can replace conventional carbonbased systems
Polymer molecular weight and molecular weight distribution have a significant impact on the rheological behavior and electrical properties of Electrospinning is affected by polymer molecular weight and molecular weight distribution, the polymer solution properties, the applied voltage, the spinneret to collector distance, the external environment, the collector movement, and the spinneret type/shape
proton-exchange membrane (PEM) using a poly(phenyl sulfone) (PPSU) fiber mat scaffold that was impregnated with a high-ion exchange capacity (IEC) crosslinkable poly(phenylenesulfonic acid)
Summary
With the inevitable depletion of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, and the increasingly stringent requirements for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, it is urgent to seek environmentally friendly, renewable energy sources that can replace conventional carbonbased systems. Green energy such as solar, tidal, wind, biomass, geothermal, hydro, nuclear, and hydrogen (H2 ) can be used to address our future needs, for addressing climate change and mitigating global warming. AEMFCswill willbe bedescribed, described,with withaafocus focuson ontheir theircomposition, composition,methods methodsof offabrication, fabrication,and and AEMFCs those properties that are most relevant to fuel cell operation Those properties that are most relevant to fuel cell operation
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