(Invited) Anion-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells – The Next Frontier

Abstract

Amazing progress has been achieved in the past two years of intensive research on Anion-Exchange Membrane (AEM) Fuel Cells (AEMFCs), bringing this technology significantly closer to the required levels for practical use in automotive (and other) applications. In material-related space, recent studies reported novel techniques for characterizing AEMs for fuel cells [1], as well as robust AEMs with hydroxide conductivities of 300 mS/cm [2]. In addition, new ionomeric materials and functional groups with increasing stability were introduced [3-5], and better Pt-free and PGM-free promising catalysts were developed [6-10]. On the fuel cells front, new AEMFCs based on CRM-free catalysts were successfully demonstrated [11-12], cells with record high power density outputs were obtained [13], materials able to operate under high-temperature AEMFC (HT-AEMFC) operation mode were reported [14], simulated materials and conditions to achieve AEMFC lifetime of 5,000-15,000 hours were theoretical demonstrated [15-16], and cell life time of 2,000 hours of continuous operation was already experimentally proven [17]. Altogether, the research community has made very impressive progress in such a short period of time. Having said that, we are not yet there; several remaining challenges should still be overcome in order to allow this technology to be a serious alternative to the mainstream PEMFC technology. To achieve that goal, we need (A) catalysts with higher activity towards hydrogen oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions to accomplish a full PGM-free (and even CRM-free) AEMFC; (B) a better understanding of carbonation issues while operating AEMFC with ambient air; and, (C) ionomeric materials with higher alkaline stability at higher temperatures. We, at Technion, focus our efforts on these (and other related) research topics, aiming to make a significant impact on the fuel cell research community. The latest achievements of our group in these AEMFC challenging fronts will be presented and discussed during the talk.