Abstract
Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) contribute significantly to enhance the performance and efficiency of alkaline polymer electrolyte fuel cells (APEFCs). A sequence of composite anion exchange membranes (AEMs) consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA), and nano-zirconia (NZ) has been prepared by a solution casting technique. The effect of zirconia mass ratio on attribute and performance of composite AEMs was investigated. The chemical structures, morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties of AEMs were characterized by FTIR, SEM, thermogravimetric analysis, and universal testing machine, respectively. The performance of composite AEMs was verified using water uptake, swelling degree, ion-exchange capacity, and OH− conductivity measurement. The nano-zirconia was homogeneously dispersed in the PVA/PDDA AEMs matrix. The mechanical properties of the composite AEMs were considerably enhanced with the addition of NZ. Through the introduction of 1.5 wt.% NZ, PVA/PDDA/NZ composite AEMs acquired the highest hydroxide conductivity of 31.57 mS·cm−1 at ambient condition. This study demonstrates that the PVA/PDDA/NZ AEMs are a potential candidate for APEFCs application.
Highlights
The depletion of fossil energy and the rise of environmental issues have led to high demand for eco-clean, efficient, and sustainable alternative energy
Fuel cells are regarded as a potential candidate to address these issues
The FTIR spectra demonstrate the wavenumber range from 4000 cm−1 to 400 cm−1, which comprises all potential frequencies of the infra-red vibrations for poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA), and zirconia
Summary
The depletion of fossil energy and the rise of environmental issues have led to high demand for eco-clean, efficient, and sustainable alternative energy. Fuel cells are regarded as a potential candidate to address these issues. The development of APEFCs has attracted more attention. Occasioned by the use of anion-exchange membranes in place of proton-exchange membranes, OH− transport occurs instead of H+ ions, which affords several benefits in comparison with the PEMFCs. Occasioned by the use of anion-exchange membranes in place of proton-exchange membranes, OH− transport occurs instead of H+ ions, which affords several benefits in comparison with the PEMFCs These include high oxygen reduction rate in the cathode, use of inexpensive and non-noble catalysts (e.g., silver, nickel, and palladium), low fuel permeability due to the opposite direction with hydroxide ion, and excellent corrosion resistance in the alkaline condition [3,4]. AEMs contribute significantly to improving the performance and efficiency of APEFCs [5]
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