Abstract
Perfluorosulphonic acid-based membranes such as Nafion are widely used in fuel cell applications. However, these membranes have several drawbacks, including high expense, non-eco-friendliness, and low proton conductivity under anhydrous conditions. Biopolymer-based membranes, such as chitosan (CS), cellulose, and carrageenan, are popular. They have been introduced and are being studied as alternative materials for enhancing fuel cell performance, because they are environmentally friendly and economical. Modifications that will enhance the proton conductivity of biopolymer-based membranes have been performed. Ionic liquids, which are good electrolytes, are studied for their potential to improve the ionic conductivity and thermal stability of fuel cell applications. This review summarizes the development and evolution of CS biopolymer-based membranes and ionic liquids in fuel cell applications over the past decade. It also focuses on the improved performances of fuel cell applications using biopolymer-based membranes and ionic liquids as promising clean energy.
Highlights
The occurrence of global warming is due to carbon dioxide emissions, which leads to earth’s climate change and affects the environment, health, and economy
The lowest methanol permeability obtained was 1.8 × 10−7 cm2 s−1, and the CS/SPVDF blend membrane was highly selective (1.69 × 104 S cm−3 s). These results proved that this blended membrane was suitable and has potential for use as PEM in fuel cell applications
Various studies have been performed to prove that CS-based biopolymer membrane is suitable for use in various fuel cell applications (PEMFC, DMFC, microbial fuel cell (MFC), DMAFC, and others) because of its low-cost, eco-compatibility, and thermal and chemical stability properties
Summary
The occurrence of global warming is due to carbon dioxide emissions, which leads to earth’s climate change and affects the environment, health, and economy In this context, fuel cells are attracting interest. These cells are devices for power generation that operate in a similar manner as conventional batteries and that require a continuous supply of fuel They are electrochemical devices that function as good alternative nonpolluting power sources. Ustehdesaendrsatwudbaiecdksd, upeotloystahcecihradrisdteins chtiavveepbroepenertwieisd,ealybuunsdeadncaen,dhysdturdopiehdilidcuitey, taondthceairn bdeisctihnecmtiviceally mpordoipfieerdtieasn,dabfunndctainocnea,lhizyeddrotpohbielicuitsye,danasdPcaEnMbeinchfuemeliceallyamppoldicifaiteidonasn.d functionalized to be used as PEM in fuel cell applications. Polysaccharides, such as chitosan (CS) and cellulose, are among the best natural polymer materials because of their abundance in the environment. We discuss ionic liquids and their roles in enhancing the proton conductivity and hydrophilicity of CS membranes
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