Applications electrolyte membrane fuel cell

Poltarzewski, E., Stoiti, R, Alderucci, V., Wieczorek, W., and Giordano, N. Nation distribution in gas diffusion electrodes for solid polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell applications. Journal of the Electrochemical Society 1992 139 761-765. 

Miyake, N., Wainright, J. S. and Savinell, R. E 2001. Evaluation of a sol-gel derived Nafion/silica hybrid membrane for proton electrolyte membrane fuel cell applications. I. Proton conductivity and water content. Journal of the Electrochemical Society 148 A898-A904. 

The polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) or proton exchange membrane fuel cell—also known as the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)—is a lower temperature fuel cell (typically less than 100°C) with a special polymer electrolyte membrane. This lower temperature fuel cell is well suited for transportation, portable, and micro fuel cell applications because of the importance of fast start-up and dynamic operation. The PEMFC has applicability in most market and application areas. 

Abstract. The constructive and technological features of silicon electrodes of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) are discussed. Electrodes are made with application of modem technologies of integrated circuits, and technologies of macroporous silicon. Also ways of realization of additional functionalities of electrodes to offered constructive - technological performance are considered. 

Xiao, L. et al.. Synthesis and characterization of pyridine-based polybenzimidazoles for high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell applications. Fuel Cells, 5, 287, 2005. 

Wolf, H. and Willert-Porada, M., Electrically conductive LCP-carbon composite with low carbon content for bipolar plate application in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, J. Power Sources, 153, 41, 2006. 

The material of PtRu alloy exhibits good properties for CO tolerance in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) [68] and has been studied extensively in recent years [69]. Particular interest has been focused on the application of the PtRu alloy materials as anodes in methanol fuel cells (MFC) for electric vehicles [70]. The most convenient way to alter the surface composition of a PtRu alloy is to employ the electrochemical co-deposition method in the preparation of the alloy. Richcharz and co-workers have studied the surface composition of a series of PtRu alloys using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and low-energy ion spectroscopy (LFIS)... 

Carmo M, Roepke T, Roth C, dos Santos AM, Poco JGR, Linardi M (2009) A novel electrocatalyst support with proton conductive properties for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell applications. J Power Sources 191 330-337... 

In recent years the concept of a fuel cell propulsion system has gained in attention as a result of the need to reduce the fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Since the fuel cells suitable for vehicle application (polymeric electrolyte membrane fuel cells) are fuelled by hydrogen, and deliver power as long as fuel and air are supplied, they potentially can provide the range capabilities of an internal combustion engine when used in a power system, but with clean and quiet operation. Therefore, the fundamental benefit of this type of propulsion consists in the possibility to adopt pollution-free electric drive-trains, without the drive range limitations typical of traditional electric vehicles. 

N. Miyake, J.S. Wainright and R.F. Savinell, Evaluation of a sol-gel derived Nafion/ silica hybrid membrane for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell applications. II. Methanol uptake and methanol permeability, J. Electrochem. Soc., 2001, 148, A905-A909. 

For polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) applications, platinum and platinum-based alloy materials have been the most extensively investigated as catalysts for the electrocatalytic reduction of oxygen. A number of factors can influence the performance of Pt-based cathodic electrocatalysts in fuel cell applications, including (i) the method of Pt/C electrocatalyst preparation, (ii) R particle size, (iii) activation process, (iv) wetting of electrode structure, (v) PTFE content in the electrode, and the (vi) surface properties of the carbon support, among others. ... 

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells, also sometimes called SPEFC (solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells) or PEMFC (polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell) use a proton exchange membrane as the electrolyte. PEEC are low-temperature fuel cells, generally operating between 40 and 90 °C and therefore need noble metal electrocatalysts (platinum or platinum alloys on anode and cathode). Characteristics of PEEC are the high power density and fast dynamics. A prominent application area is therefore the power train of automobiles, where quick start-up is required. 

Fluorene-containing sulfonated PODAs have been considered for the application as proton exchange membranes for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. The polymers are highly stable thermally and show improved oxidation stability. However, the proton conductivity is around 10 S cm, which is by a factor of 50 lower than that of Nafion membranes. 

Another system, where catalytic active oxide particles might lead to a new development, is the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). This t5rpe of fuel cell preferentially works with platinum and platinum alloy catalysts. The development of an effective oxide catalyst could solve some of the problems connected with the application of these systems. 

As power supply for a variety of portable devices is one of the more important future applications of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, great efforts are made at present to reduce the dimensions and weight, and to even miniaturize both the fuel-cell stack and all auxiliary equipment needed for a power plant. 

Figures for the time required for a smooth operation of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (and other fuel cells used in the same applications) are given variously as 2000-3000 h for the power plants in portable devices, as up to 3000 h over a period of 5-6 years for the power plants in electric cars, and as 5-10 years for stationary power plants. Much time will, of course, be required to collect statistical data for the potential lifetime of different kinds of fuel cells. Research efforts, therefore, concentrate on finding the reasons for the gradual decline of performance indicators and for premature failure of fuel cells. In recent years, many studies have been conducted in this area.

Fuel cells of this variety sometimes are called high-temperature or mid-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, but is preferable to use the designation given in the section heading, as in their application to high-temperature fuel cells, high-temperature and mid-temperature refer to different temperature ranges. 

High temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFC) operate in a temperature range of 160 to 180 °C. For the HT-PEMFC the hydraulic system of a house is at any time a heat sink. HT-PEMFC based fuel cells can be used in hydraulic systems of new and existing buildings. Furthermore, the HT-PEMFC requires less effort to cleanup the synthesis gas of the fuel processor. But the HT-PEMFC is only demonstrated in few applications so far and the development status is not so advanced as for the LT PEMFC. 

---